By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – AUG. 30, 2023 – Val LaMantia, a well-known entrepreneur, community leader and philanthropist in the Rio Grande Valley, has been named by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Governor’s Commission for Women for induction into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.

La Mantia, owner and managing partner of beverage distribution company L&F Distributors based in McAllen, was selected for her business acumen, her service to the Texas community, and for her efforts to champion education at all levels.

She is one of eight women in Texas named to the 2023 Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.

A major donor and supporter of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, LaMantia is a founding member of the STARS Scholarship Fund, which partners with UTRGV and 21 other universities in Texas and has created education opportunities for some 20,000 students to date in South and West Texas.

“I am incredibly honored to be recognized among these seven other amazing women, and I thank Gov. Abbott and the Texas Commission for Women for honoring the importance of support for, and access to, a quality education,” LaMantia said.

“As a longtime business owner in the Rio Grande Valley, I know how fortunate we are to have the resources and determination to create opportunities that will lead students into the future they dream of. The goal is to make a difference in the state of Texas and beyond,” she said.

In this April 28, 2023, archive photo, McAllen entrepreneur and philanthropist Val LaMantia addresses attendees during the Texas Lyceum’s State of Texas Women Conference, hosted by UTRGV at the University Ballroom on the Edinburg Campus. (UTRGV Archive Photo by Paul Chouy)

Abbott said the eight women have been selected in recognition of outstanding achievement in their fields and for changing the course of Texas history.  

“The Texas Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates remarkable Texas women not only for their individual achievements but also for their contributions to building an even stronger Texas of tomorrow,” he said. “I am honored to welcome these accomplished women as inductees. 

“Nominated by their fellow Texans, they have excelled in business, community service, philanthropy, public service, science, sports and more. What unites them is the difference they have made for others,” he said. “Women of vision, tenacity and generosity, they are an inspiration for the next generation of leaders who will follow them.”

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said LaMantia has done important work in Texas in the field of education and is an excellent role model for students and women everywhere.

“I’m especially proud of Val, but then I’m more than a little biased since I’m married to her,” Bailey quipped. “That said, she’s a strong, independent woman dedicated to her community, and she sincerely believes in improving one’s quality of life through a quality and affordable education.”

LaMantia will be inducted into the 2023 Texas Women’s Hall of Fame on Thursday, Nov. 9, in Austin, during a special ceremony hosted by the Office of the Governor and First Lady Cecilia Abbott.

2023 HONOREES, TEXAS WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME 

• Val LaMantia (Business) — In recognition of her business leadership as owner and managing partner of a beverage distribution company, her service to the McAllen community, and her role as a founding member of the STARS Scholarship Fund, furthering education for nearly 20,000 students in South and West Texas.   
• Leta Andrews (Athletics) — In recognition of her more than five decades as a dedicated teacher and coach, with half of those at Granbury High School, inspiring her students to be champions in sports and in life and leading the nation with the most career wins as a basketball coach. 
• Mary Horn (Public Service) — In posthumous recognition of her legacy of dedicated public service in 26 years of elected office, including as the longest-serving Denton County judge, carefully stewarding taxpayer resources while administering necessary services in one of the fastest-growing counties.
• Opal Lee (Civic Leadership) — In recognition of her community service in Fort Worth and her tireless advocacy nationwide, winning federal recognition of the historic Juneteenth holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the U.S., and for her perseverance in promoting a message of unity and understanding.
• Lavinia Masters (Advocacy/Community Service) — In recognition of her selflessness and strength, building on her faith and finding the power of her voice to speak for survivors of sexual violence, to raise awareness of a nationwide rape kit backlog, and to bring justice through legislative action.
• Antonietta Quigg (Science/Technology) — In recognition of her leadership of critical marine-related research at Texas A&M University at Galveston and at College Station, leading to a better understanding of Texas’ coastal ecosystem, and for her passion in mentoring student researchers. 
• Charlotte Sharp (Philanthropy) — In posthumous recognition of her legacy of faith-filled compassion and generosity, volunteering her time and raising funds to help ease the suffering of others, comfort sick children, feed hungry families, and seek shelter for individuals struggling to find a safe place to live.
• Elizabeth Suarez (Public Service) — In recognition of her journey of service and leadership in municipal government, forging regional ground and air connectivity for a seamless domestic and international transportation network supporting economic expansion in McAllen and across the Rio Grande Valley and Texas.

ABOUT THE TEXAS WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME

The Texas Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1984 by the Governor’s Commission for Women to recognize the achievements of Texas women. Nominated biennially by Texans and selected by an independent panel of judges, inductees include former First Ladies, astronauts, entrepreneurs, public servants, Olympic athletes, and other women of significant accomplishment. A permanent exhibit is housed at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, and currently features the biographies and photographs of all recipients.