Vackar, Barbara

Barbara Vackar was born September 7, 1943 in Gonzales, Texas. She graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in home economics. Her first job was at the University of Texas as a food service supervisor; later, she was promoted to Director of Special Events for the President's office. She then went on to become President and owner of Adams Vackar Caterers. She was founder and president of Vacker Associates, a firm which did political consulting, lobbying, and advising. She was also vice-president of Vacker Interests, Inc., which was formed to arrange a project financing land acquisitions. As an active supporter of women's rights, she served as director of Texans for ERA. In 1979, she worked for nine months in the White House office of presidential assistant Sarah Weddington planning national strategies for securing adoption of the ERA. In 1980, she ran for Travis County Democratic party chairman where she served as official spokesperson on all countywide party matters.

Vackar has also dedicated much of her time helping to improve womens' lives through a variety of volunteer leadership positions. She is a founding member of the National Advisory Board for The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future. She is also the founder of the Austin Women's Network and the Austin Consumer Counseling Services for Child and Family Services. In addition, Vackar served on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood and as the coordinator for St. David's Hospital Foundation 100 Women Fund.

In 2005 Vackar was named President of Chautauqua Women's Club after ten seasons of residency at the Chautauqua Institution. Vackar will conclude her 6th season in the leadership position of the Chautauqua Women’s Club at the end of the 2010 season. Under her leadership the CWC has established the Contemporary Issues Brown/Giffin Lectureship allowing the Club to bring to Chautauqua esteemed speakers such as Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Jane Pauley and Gail Sheehy.

Source: Texas Archival Resources Online

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/twu/00016/twu-00016.html

Accessed: 2010 July

Source: Chautauqua Women's Club website

http://chautauquawomensclub.org

Accessed: 2005 April and 2010 July

From the guide to the Barbara Vackar Papers AR. 2009. 068., 1976-2007, (Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, )