Welcome to San Antonio Woman Magazine!

letter from the editor by Beverly Purcell-Guerra Perhaps no occupation seems more unexpected for women than the security business except, maybe, law enforcement. Yet in this issue of SAN ANTONIO WOMAN we meet women who are leaders in these two fields. Our profile subject, Julie Smith Nelson, heads the largest privately owned security firm in San Antonio. She followed her father and grandfather into the family security business and is earning kudos for her leadership and innovations. Up Front introduces four outstanding members of the San Antonio Police Department. These ladies in blue (some in plain clothes) are experts in negotiations, patrol leadership, emergency response, financial misdoings and sex crimes. They acknowledge that their career choices are not for every woman, but they find fulfillment and satisfaction in serving the public through their chosen livelihood.
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Click on an image below to read more about these featured articles. July/August 05 Features:
Profile: (On The Cover) *Security Is In Her Blood. Julie Smith Nelson heads the largest privately owned security company in San Antonio.* By Loydean Thomas, photography Liz Garza Williams. Seven years ago, Julie Smith Nelson chose to follow her father and grandfather into the family security business. She now leads Smith Legacy, her own company, where she hires and manages 300 employees who work security at 150 locations. Her company’s services include providing uniformed security guards, armored cars and employee screening checks to clients. (Click image to read article)
Up Front: *The Gals In Blue: Police work may still be a man’s world, but some brave women are proving themselves in the ranks.* By Jasmina Wellinghoff, photography Liz Garza-Williams. The women featured in this article include: Officer Barbara Thomas Teresa Velasquez Detective Gina Dillon Detective Kim Bower (Click image to read article)
Environments: *At Home With Mother Nature — Contemporary dwelling capitalizes on hilltop setting.* By Kay McKay Myers, photography Al Rendon. The contemporary home of Dr. Joseph Murgo, a San Antonio-based cardiologist and his wife, Toni, is featured. Their unique home is situated to take advantage of the seasonal movement of the sun.
Role Model: *Swimming With Giants — Senior Animal Trainer At SeaWorld Has The Career Of Her Dreams.* By Paula Allen, photography Janet Rogers. Leslie Popiel is a senior animal trainer at SeaWorld San Antonio, where she helps keep the park’s seven killer whales healthy, active and interested. It’s a full-time, year-round task that requires 16 trainers, each working five-day weeks, in and out of season. She is this issue’s role model because she aimed for a dream job and persevered from trainee to trainer. (Click image to read article)
Travel: *Las Vegas — Bewitching, Bedazzling Oasis.* By Melanie Young. Las Vegas has something for everyone — a fantasy land that also features mountains, canyons, Lake Mead and Hoover Dam nearby. The story highlights the city by day and the exciting offerings of the city by night. Readers will get a good sense of the ease of getting around Las Vegas, the city’s affordable attractions and how Las Vegas can be a wonderful getaway. The article also features stunning photographs of some of the prominent hotels that grace the skyline of Las Vegas, including the Luxor, the Venetian and the Bellagio. (Click image to read article)
Biz Coach: *Resolving Workplace Conflicts — Five Steps To A Positive Solution.* By Judi Craig, Ph.D. Craig relays the two common mistakes made in workplace conflict — letting it fester and pointing fingers — and how to deal directly with confronting conflict by using a healthy five step approach. (Click image to read article)
Dollars & Sense: Future Shock: Are You Prepared for The Costs Of Long-Term Care? A Brief Look At Long-Term Care Insurance. By Judy Alexander. How secure is your future? Alexander explains how to strategically approach protecting the assets you have. She also explores what issues to weigh in purchasing long-term care insurance. (Click image to read article)
Family Issues: Womanstress – The Type E Woman: Doing Everything For Everyone. Story by Rosemary J. Stauber, Ph.D. Inspired by the book by Harriet Braiker, The Type E Woman: Everything For Everyone, this article describes the special stress that women find themselves under when they insist on “having it all” (what was dubbed as the Superwoman Syndrome in the 1980s). The story highlights how women respond to stress physically, mentally and emotionally and the coping strategies women employ to handle this stress. (Click image to read article)