Irish Person of the year, Phyllis Wells- 1993

Congratulations to Phyllis Wells, This year's Irish Person of the Year.

Phyllis was born and raised in the town of Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan, until she moved to New York in the late fifties.  Her first impression of the Statue of Liberty was "incredible" and she still gets very emotional when ever she thinks about it.

Phyllis worked at Con Edison in customer services and attended evening classes at Hunter College.  Over the years, Phyllis and her family have lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and finally settled in Dallas in 1973.

Phyllis is very proud of her three children (Ken, Charles, and Colleen).  Ken is in Japan teaching English and is looking forward to getting his degree in International Law.  Charles has a degree in radio, television, and film and is pursuing his passion for car racing at the moment.  Colleen teaches English saddle here in Dallas.

A member of the Irish American Society since 1976, Phyllis has introduced the Irish Cultural Institute's "Irish Way Program" to the community.  She was the club's first cultural Chairman, and became President in 1985-86.  A founding member of the Texas Rose of Tralee Committee in 1985, she became Chairman in 1988.  Phyllis has also chaired and Co-chaired Irish community events from Cultural to the St. Patrick's Day dinner dances, picnics, amateur nights, etc.  She has also helped during the initial stages of the Northern Ireland Program for Young People.

A member of the Irish Georgian Society, Phyllis helped chair the Society's 1992 event honoring the flautist James Galway.

Phyllis has been active in the real estate community since 1977.  She has served on the Board of the Dallas Women's Council of Realtors and chaired their Political Action Committee.  She has served on the board  of the Chamberlain Ballet.

When asked about growing up in a large family (8 children), Phyllis feels it taught her about giving, compromise, unselfishness, to be outgoing, and (with a laugh) "to get to the table first."

Phyllis thoughts about America:  "With all its faults, there is still no country that gives an individual such freedom.  I cherish my citizenship.  To have the right to vote and have a say in the workings of such a nation, is a cherished responsibility."