HomeMaking Democracy Work® Dinner 2026

The League of Women Voters of Texas
Making Democracy Work® Dinner

Saturday April 18, 2026
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Holiday Inn Corpus Christi Airport & Conference Center
5549 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX 78408

You're cordially invited to enjoy an evening with the League of Women Voters of Texas, supporters, allies, and other civic advocates at our annual "Making Democracy Work® Dinner," to celebrate the work of the League and community partners working toward the same goals: Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The funds raised from this year's fundraising event will be used to support the League's mission throughout the upcoming year. This year's event also coincides with the League of Women Voters of Texas Convention, an event where the League comes together to discuss priority issues.

Purchase Tickets

*** Ticket Sales Close on April 1st ***

2026 Keynote Speakers

Texas Water: Challenges and Choices

Water sits at the intersection of conservation, economic resilience, coastal protection, and community well-being. Panelists Danielle Goshen, Dr. Erin Kinney, and Tom Enstminger will come together for a fireside chat exploring this pressing issue. Annalisa Peace, Executive Director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer, will moderate the discussion, guiding conversation on the complex challenges facing Texas’ water resources and highlighting the choices shaping our state’s water future.

Annalisa Peace
Executive Director, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance

Annalisa is the Executive Director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, she holds an M.S. in Urban Administration from Trinity University and brings more than three decades of experience working with government and nonprofit organizations in San Antonio and across Texas. Since 2004, she has led a coalition of 58 organizations dedicated to protecting the Edwards and Trinity aquifers and their contributing watersheds. She has also contributed to numerous advisory boards and regional planning efforts focused on water, land use, and environmental conservation across Central and South Texas.

Danielle Goshen
Senior Policy Analyst, Water Infrastructure

Danielle is the Senior Water Infrastructure Policy Analyst at Environmental Policy Innovation Center. Prior to joining EPIC in 2024, she worked on National Wildlife Federation's Texas Coast and Water Program as their Policy Specialist/Counsel, collaborating with government, industry, and NGO stakeholders to improve water policy across Texas. She also served as Water Policy Specialist at Galveston Bay Foundation. Danielle holds Honours Bachelor's degrees in Environmental Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto and a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, where she was president of the Environmental Law Association and served as a Georgia Sea Grant Legal Fellow working on coastal resiliency policy.

Erin Kinney, PhD
Manager, Coastal Resilience and Communities

Dr. Kinney is a Manager of Coastal Resilience and Communities and a Senior Research Scientist at Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), specializing in coastal and climate impacts to communities and ecosystems and in communicating data and resilience strategies to stakeholders. Her research interests include water use and distribution impacts, land use change and climate impacts on coastal systems, wetland loss, conversion and restoration, carbon and nitrogen cycling in wetlands, and improving resilience for communities and ecosystems, and she participates in working groups for the Texas Water Data Initiative, the Houston One Water Cohort, Texas One Water, and Galveston Bay Estuary Program subcommittees. Dr. Kinney earned a PhD in Biology from the Boston University Marine Program and a B.A. in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology from Dartmouth College.

Tom Enstminger
Policy Director, National Wildlife Federation

Tom is Policy Director for the Texas Coast and Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation. Previously, he spent 14 years in state government working on numerous water funding programs with a focus on interagency collaboration and equitable opportunities for small, rural, and economically disadvantaged communities. Tom has also worked as a grant writer in the public and private sectors helping communities avoid missing out on important funding opportunities. He is originally from El Paso and studied Philosophy at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP.)

2026 Honorees

Campus Vote Project Texas

This year, the League of Women Voters of Texas will honor Campus Vote Project Texas (CVP) for their outstanding work to strengthen student participation in our democracy. Through partnerships with colleges and universities, CVP helps institutions implement nonpartisan practices that make it easier for students to register, learn about elections, and cast their ballots. By working to remove barriers to student voting and supporting campuses in building sustainable civic engagement programs, Campus Vote Project empowers young voters and helps ensure students across Texas can fully participate in the democratic process.

American Association of University Women of Texas

The American Association of University Women of Texas is a national organization dedicated to advancing equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. By promoting equal opportunities in education, leadership, and economic security, AAUW works to create a more just and inclusive society for all.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The League of Women Voters of Texas is proud to offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities
for our fundraising benefit, "Making Democracy Work® Dinner. "

Eva Carrillo Sponsorship: $500

Eva Carrillo de García crossed borders and cultures to advocate for civil liberties. As a nurse and advocate, Ms. Carrillo de García knew the importance of both health and voting. As an Eva Carrillo sponsor, you will show that you are a courageous leader who creates new civic spaces for the sake of your family and country.

Oveta Culp Hobby Sponsorship: $1,500

Oveta Culp Hobby knew the value of public service, serving as the first US Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from 1953-1955. As a Culp Hobby sponsor you will show your commitment to these same values, values the League holds dear to this day. You are not afraid to be the first, do the work, or stand out.

Barbara Jordan Sponsorship: $2,500

Barbara Jordan was a pillar of democracy in Texas. As a Barbara Jordan sponsor, you will be showing that you have the courage to speak truth to power, and that your life is dedicated to helping others find their voice.

Minnie Fisher Cunningham Sponsorship: $5,000

"Minnie Fish," as she was known in her time, was a tireless advocate for women's rights, voting accessibility, and strengthening our democracy. As a Minnie Fisher Cunningham sponsor, you will show that you are a trailblazer, refusing to give up.

Title Sponsorship: $10,000

As Title Sponsor, you will join forces with the League of Women Voters of Texas to host the most important democracy fundraiser in the state. Show the world how passionate you are about democracy, voting rights, and a better future. What's more, you'll be equipping the League with the resources it needs to advocate for all Texans.

Support Democracy!

2026 Keynote Speakers

2026 Honorees

Sponsorship Opportunities