Vicki Mangum:
CLASS OF 1969
St. Vincent's AcademyClass of 1969
Shreveport, LA
Northwestern State UniversityClass of 1973
Natchitoches, LA
Christ the King SchoolClass of 1965
Bossier city, LA
Vicki's Story
College
I graduated with a BS in General Home Economics - something I don't believe is available any longer. I have a wonderful job as Manager of Special Exhibits with the company (Quilts, Inc.) that produces the largest convention in Houston, The International Quilt Market and International Quilt Festival, every fall. We also produce International Quilt Festivals in Chicago and Long Beach, as well as Spring International Quilt Market in different parts of the country each May.
One of the best perks of my job is the travel. Until recently, we produced Patchwork and Quilt Expo in Europe every other year, for 20 years. I've traveled to The Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. One year my sister Laura and her husband Keith joined my husband Ray and I after the show and we traveled to Germany, up and down the Rhine. They weren't able to join us in France or Switzerland.
Here in the states, we take the Spring Market show different spots and usually manage to stay over and arrange a little sight seeing, as we did in Utah last May. So while it's lots of work to organize the exhibits and produce the shows, we do manage to arrange a little play time!
I had a complete knee replacement in June of 2010. Soon after I left the job I so loved and "retired". I went back to work for Quilts, Inc. in May 2011 part time. Part time has now grown to full time. I work with the Corporate Collection of quilts, garments, pillows, and other fiber related items. I also handle the layouts and installation of exhibits at the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, TX every quarter. I'm assigned to special projects so I'm involved in book projects and anniversary projects for the company.
My husband Ray and I have three daughters between us (two from his first marriage and one together). The older girls each have two children and our daughter has three, two girls and one boy. We've been married 36+ years. Time really flies!
Most of my schoolmates don't realize I have two older brothers. Actually they are half-brothers, but my three sisters and I always refer to them simply as our brothers. I was an aunt in the fourth grade!
Another interesting tidbit. My father's youngest sister, Roberta, is only a few years older than my oldest brother, Robert. Robert is 11 years older than me. My brother Don is seven years older than I am. Aunt Ro...Expand for more
berta and I enjoy quilting and exchanging travel stories.
Workplace
Right after College I went to work for So-Fro Fabrics in Mesquite, TX as Asst. Mgr. A year later was transferred to the Alexandria, LA store as Mgr. A year and a half later accepted a job with the Lerner Shops in Shreveport, LA as Sportswear Dept. Mgr. Sometime in between, divorced and met my future (and present) husband Ray Mangum. Transferred to Houston, TX with the Lerner Shops in 1975. Accepted a job with Southern Life Insurance Company and worked there for 4 years as a Customer Service Rep. Accepted a job with American General Life Insurance Company in 1980 where I worked until we were transferred to Tulsa, OK in 1983. 1988 accepted a job with AVIS and worked there until we were transferred back to Houston, TX in 1990. Worked part time for 4 years at Art/Quilt Magazine starting in 1996. Accepted a full time position at Quilts, Inc. as Special Exhibits Coordinator February 2000 where I am currently employed as Manager of Special Exhibits.
I meet my hero 11 years ago. Her name is Mary Fisher. Mary Fisher is a mutli-faceted artist, using various mediums, including fabric. What makes her my hero is the way she has handled her HIV positive diagnosis. She spoke at the Republican National Convention held in Houston, TX. She was a White House Assistant to the President of the United States, the Honorable Gerald R. Ford. In the years that followed her national service she became a wife, a mother of two sons, an artist and, reluctantly, an AIDS activists.
Mary is the author of several books about AIDS. She's been recognized from Broadway to Bupapest with tributes and awards for her tireless campaigns. Her speeches have inspired thousands to consider a reflective and meaningful life, including the search for a more ehtical response to AIDS, and have earned her three honorary doctrates.
In 2006 UNAIDS appointed Mary as ambassador on HIV/AIDS issues, honoring her work especially with women and children.
Early 2007 found Mary Fisher in Africa, realizing a long-held dream: establishing support groups where women infected or affected by AIDS can earn a living wage. In Rwanda and Zambia, women now produce hand-beaded bracelets that Mary designed, as well as hand-woven baskets, for sale in the United States.
Mary is who I want to be when I grow up!
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