By Alicia Wanek
Mother. Professional. Volunteer. Philanthropist. Strong Woman.
While they may not possess superhuman abilities, the three extraordinary women featured in the following pages have worked diligently to navigate the challenges of time management while staying true to themselves. They are making significant impacts not only through their unwavering commitment to their communities but also by showcasing that they can forge their own paths. We salute them and every woman whose bold pursuit of her dreams inspires future generations of strong women.
In our new series, SUPERMOM!, we will highlight the achievements of women making a difference at home, in their careers, and in the community. Readers are encouraged to nominate someone (or themselves) by reaching out to Tricia White, Managing Editor, at tricia@goodlifefamilymag.com.
NANCY LIEBERMAN
“I’m exactly who I want to be.” Nancy Lieberman, widely recognized as one of the most impactful women in basketball, may not have envisioned her current achievements while growing up in a single-parent household, shooting hoops on the gritty courts of Harlem, NY. Yet, her remarkable journey as an athlete, mother, coach, mentor, commentator, speaker, and philanthropist is truly motivating.
Nancy states, “It’s clear that the foundation of who I am has carried me from my childhood to my current position. It’s part of my DNA. I understand that people shy away from success. I do not.” She adds that she has always been “wired for winning.” Early on, basketball acted as an outlet for her “fire and intensity,” ultimately leading her to become an Olympian, Hall of Fame inductee, WNBA player, Sacramento Kings assistant coach, and 2018 Big3 Coach of the Year. Her endeavors inspire children, especially young girls, to envision themselves achieving great things. However, her off-court accomplishments may be crafting her most lasting impact.
At 19, Muhammad Ali advised her, “Be a giver, not a taker.” Nancy initially believed that her victories were her way of giving back, but Ali instilled in her the realization that she could contribute even more.
In 1980, Nancy began hosting her first basketball clinics in underprivileged neighborhoods south of Dallas. She recalls needing to build trust with both the kids and their parents, but it didn’t take long for the camps to gain immense popularity. Through sports, she discovered she could not only teach basketball skills but also foster self-esteem, provide motivation, and encourage children to aim higher. Nancy aspired to be “a hope giver and a dream equalizer,” ensuring that no child feels incapable of achieving their dreams. “I often say, when someone tells you that you cannot do something, it’s likely because they cannot. Lowering yourself to their level of mediocrity hinders your potential.”
She has witnessed amazing transformations in children who attended her camps, and her charity has established 84 basketball courts primarily in low-income areas, benefitting 3.6 million children. Through fundraising efforts such as Dream Ball and its golf tournament, her charity has supported over 50 high school seniors in attending college. Nancy remains a steadfast source of support, encouraging kids to reach out with their challenges and leveraging her extensive network to link them with those who can assist them. The children become part of her “team,” and akin to sports, she believes, “When you’re on a team, someone is giving you a chance.”
With hopes for a bright future for the next generation, she beams with pride regarding her son, TJ Cline, who is currently playing professional basketball overseas in the Israeli Premier League. Nancy couldn’t be more proud to have him join her in running the Nancy Lieberman and TJ Cline basketball camps. However, she didn’t let him take the easy route. When he approached her about managing the camps, she requested a complete business plan from him. He exceeded her expectations. “Seeing our son (with dad Tim Cline) accomplish something wonderful is incredibly rewarding,” Nancy smiles. She understands that young adults like TJ merely need an opportunity to realize their potential. Inside her charity, the Director of Programs, Traci Choate, is just 23 years old. “I trust her implicitly,” Nancy says. “Every day, she astonishes me with her work ethic.”
TJ, Traci, and all the staff and volunteers at the charity are dedicated to Nancy’s vision that basketball can serve as a platform for teaching life skills. “I’m not a doctor,” Nancy remarks, “but I’m utilizing what I possess to assist others.” Basketball has granted her so much, and she asserts that we can all leverage our strengths to “certainly get out there and change a child’s life.”
MELANIE OKON
Melanie Okon has dedicated her professional life over the past two decades to proving her capabilities as an attorney. This dedication has earned her recognition as one of “The Best Lawyers in America,” as designated by D Magazine, which included her in their list of “The Best Lawyers in Dallas.” She is a six-time selection on the list of Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters and has been honored by ALM and Martindale-Hubbell as a Women Leader in Law, one of Texas’s Top-Rated Lawyers, and a Top-Rated Litigator. Equally significant is her role as a mother of three and her commitment to empowering young women in her community. Currently, as part of the Munck Wilson Mandala team, Melanie remains dedicated to collaborating with those supporting women balancing it all.
Originally from Oklahoma, Melanie moved to Texas to attend law school at Baylor University and has remained there ever since. In her first year post-law school, she clerked for the Texas Supreme Court before transitioning to a law firm. When she began to consider starting a family, she sought an in-house position that would allow her to maintain a less demanding schedule. Melanie successfully negotiated a situation that permitted her to work only three days a week. After having three children in four years, being able to be at home with them during their early years was invaluable. Melanie points out, however, “I worked three days, but I maintained the same workload. I just had to be more efficient.” Balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and work proved challenging, necessitating the employment of a full-time nanny to help manage her caseload during trial periods.
Following a major leverage buyout at TXU, Melanie realized it was time to explore other opportunities. Acknowledging her strengths as a litigator, her boss assured her they would continue to refer cases to her if she transitioned to a different firm. She initially sought a part-time position but ultimately found herself working full-time again. Feelings of self-doubt and parental guilt surfaced, leading Melanie to a realization, “If I don’t become what I aspire to be, then how can I tell my daughter she can pursue her dreams?”
Soon after, a friend invited Melanie to a presentation by Girls Inc. featuring Peggy Orenstein, author of “Cinderella Ate My Daughter.” Girls Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to “inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.” The message resonated deeply with Melanie. “I believe in championing women,” she asserts. Beginning as a tutor in lower-income neighborhoods, she quickly applied for a position on the Board of Girls Inc., eventually becoming the Chair.
“One essential lesson I hope my children grasp is that none of us achieves success alone,” Melanie shares. Now that her children, Hannah, Toni, and Brian, are in middle school, they can appreciate the hard work their mother has invested in her career and recognize her as an outstanding role model. The journey is not without hardships. “There are still days when I return home at 5:30 to spend time with my kids and then resume work at 9:00 pm,” Melanie recounts, yet she is grateful for the ability to make it work. She exemplifies to the girls at Girls Inc. that it is possible to be strong, smart, and bold.
Do you know someone who should be featured as a supermom in Good Life Family magazine? Send your nomination to Tricia White, Managing Editor, at tricia@goodlifefamilymag.com.
