A Word from Our President

 

 

WHO President

Maria Tolleson

January 2025- December 2026

Maria Tolleson has been a member of WHO since 2019, after retiring from 29 years of teaching choral music. Maria is a native Texan and grew up in the Air Force. Her father retired from the Air Force in Sherman, Texas where she graduated high school. 

Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Baylor University and a teaching certification from the University of North Texas. 

Maria and her husband Blair (a distinguished gentleman) have lived in Sun City for 8yrs.  She has two sons, Ray and Jake, and will soon have a daughter-in-law, Grace! Maria also has a very spoiled yellow lab that she rescued named “Mollie”. (pictured here is “Elmo”, which belongs to WHO member, Robin Stewart).

 Maria was looking for a purpose and wanting to continue her philanthropic work as well as helping others. She read about “Women Helping Others” in the Sun City magazine and ventured on to a WHO meeting. “I met so many wonderful people and was able to get involved immediately! I became more and more inspired by each speaker at the WHO meetings and was encouraged by the generosity of the WHO Ladies that gave so much of their time to the non-profit organizations.”

 Maria was elected Vice President of WHO in 2021 and served two terms on the WHO Board. 

“As President, it is my goal to encourage our members to get involved in any way possible! Volunteering is a rewarding experience that provides a way to give your time to help others while having fun with WHO friends! “

“I am so honored to be the President of this amazing organization. Everyone brings their wisdom, heart, and soul to help others that need it the most. It is an amazing feeling to volunteer with your friends because it not only changes other lives it changes yours! “