A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Phyllis Williams graduated from the University of Tennessee where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art Design. She then worked as a graphic artist for Pro Group, Inc., an Arnold Palmer Company, where she used her artistic talent to create and design golf and country club logos throughout the United States. An avid golfer, Phyllis is the founder and president of Birdie Wear, Inc., which designs women’s golf apparel.
Her introduction into Houston’s charitable endeavors began as a member of the Houston Cosmopolitan Exchange Club. She then expanded her volunteer efforts to organizations including the Houston Police Activities League, Escape Center for Women, March of Dimes, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, SEARCH Foundation, Houston Children’s Charity, Child Development Center, and Project Row Houses of which she is the vice president of the board, and the Children’s Assessment Center where she also serves on the board.
Phyllis co-chaired the Chuck Norris’ KICKSTART Foundation Gala in 1997 and served as the gala’s auction chairman for several years. She is also a member of the KICKSTART Advisory Board. She served as auction chairman for the 2008 and 2010 Houston Humane Society Galas, and served as Honorary Chairman for the 2009 HHS Gala. In 2010, she co-chaired the CCFA Winter Ball, and in addition to co-chairing the 2012 University of Houston Moores School of Music Gala, she also serves on the school’s advisory board. Phyllis had the distinct pleasure to serve as the 2000 Annual Gala Co-Chair for the Zina Garrison All Court Tennis Foundation.
In 2008, Phyllis was named to Houston Chronicle-Neiman Marcus Best Dressed List and in 2005, she was named an ABC-Channel 13 Woman of Distinction. In addition, she was honored for her volunteerism with the Excellence in Bloom Award at the 2010 Huffington Center on Aging Luncheon.
Because Phyllis and her husband, attorney Cornel Williams, have no children of their own, her attention was drawn to organizations which motivate and nurture children. Her motto—”The innocence of a child should never be destroyed”—is the distinctive factor that personifies her style of volunteerism with charities whose focus is to make life better for children.