A Lifetime of Service

The Tulsa Area United Way will forever remember Clydella Hentschel as a woman who blazed a trail for women leaders and in dedication to her community.

Mark Graham sat down with Clydella in January 2012 to talk with her about her experiences as co-chair of the 1992 TAUW campaign. Clydella co-chaired that campaign with her husband David and was the first woman to do so.

At the 2012 Annual Meeting the new Clydella Hentschel Award was unveiled and presented to its namesake. This award will be presented each year to a woman in the Tulsa area who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a commitment to her community.

Clydella passed away on June 20, 2012.

Becky J. Frank, the first woman to individually serve as Campaign Chair in 2013, counts Clydella as a longtime mentor and drew inspiration from her for the creation of the Tulsa Area United Way Women's Leadership Council (WLC) last year. Clydella also served on the WLC Advisory Committee.

"I had the privilege of knowing Clydella for many years, and indeed, she was a mentor to me. Clydella was a true pioneer in this community. She was the first woman to serve in so many roles in Tulsa, paving the way for so many women like me," said Frank.

Clydella served on the boards of the Hillcrest Healthcare System, Hillcrest Medical Center Board of Trustees, Children's Medical Center, and the Peggy V. Helmerich Women's Health Center.

She also served on the boards of many United Way agencies through the years, including The Salvation Army, Girl Scouts, and the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, among others.