Today I had the honor of introducing my wife as she received an award. There were many women honored today and I was the only man and husband to introduce his wife. My words came from my heart and afterward it was suggested I post what I shared with the audience. Here it is:
As you all can see, I am the first man to stand before you. As I look around the room I am enamored with all the talented leaders and role models. On behalf of all the men in this room, thank you for fixing many of the problems we created.
I am here to introduce Shelli Holland-Handy. I was told to not simply read her biography. I will let you u do that. Personally I have read it several times this week and am always impressed.
I thought I would share with you what don’t you know about Shelli.
I was going to tell you about her 19 year old pink AXO sweatshirt with blue lettering but she made me promise not to, so I won’t
This leads me to the more serious side of Shelli
She doesn’t know why she should be selected for this honor. I would argue that is what makes her most worthy of this honor. I am her husband and she is my wife, we are business partners and just plain partners in every sense of the word. But before that, before we were us, we were just friends. The friends part, those elements you admire in a friend, is what I find amazing about Shelli.
As I got to know Shelli, I admired those qualities which we all admire in people we want to be friends with. Dedication, intelligence, accomplishment, commitment, the need to continually improve yourself and the world around you and more. You might note my expectations for a friend are pretty high – maybe if I lowered them I would have more friends. By the way, Shelli also has the ability to make me laugh, something I hold in high regard.
Shelli has accomplished more and given more in her life than most
With the support of a wonderful family, who is here today, she is the first member of her family to attend college and didn’t stop there. After receiving her undergraduate degree from OSU (Go Pokes!) she attended another college located in a small town called Norman where she received her law degree. The name escapes me but I am sure several people in this room will remind me later by spraypainting the name on the side of my car.
She had a phenomenal corporate career and gave that up to be a phenomenal entrepreneur. Anyone who has ever started a successful business knows the commitment it takes. Long days and nights, the physical, emotional and mental demands. Each checked off her mental list of what needs to be done to be successful. By the way, failure was never an option.
I should point out She moved across the state to start the Dog dish and be with me so I didn’t have to be far from my daughter. I will forever be grateful for this selfless act.
Four years ago Shelli decided it was best if my daughter moved in with us. Without a beat Shelli became a mom to a 13 year old. She took on this new role with the grace and caring nature of any mother and all without ever dropping the ball on any of her other commitments.
Let me share her commitments – She is phenomenally dedicated and approaches every effort with passion. I look around this room and i know I don’t need to define passion.
What motivates her?
Wrongs which need to be righted. Those efforts which make the world or her community a better place to live. Whether it is making a difference through her volunteer and leadership efforts with the Tulsa Junior League, taking additional time or care to help a customer, making a difference to a homeless pet – three in our household, hundreds if not thousands through her direct and indirect support to pet rescue organizations and much, much more.
No challenge is too great, no effort too small. And, in her world, there is always room for more.
I present to you, the Alpha Chi Omega Tulsa Area Alumnae Panhellenic Woman of the Year.
[...] from heads of foreign state to my beautiful and intelligent wife who was honored as a “Woman of the Year“. It’s funny, in PR you never talk about yourself – it’s the first rule so [...]
Sounds like an awesome lady. Have a younger sister?