Impactful Women of the 918: Wendy Williams

Throughout her career, Wendy Williams has shown an unwavering commitment to education and community health. Currently, she serves as executive director of the Miss Weary Foundation and administrator of the Health and Safety Education Training Center, a program of the Foundation. Through these roles, she oversees healthcare training programs for certified nurse aides, certified medication aides, practical nursing, AHA CPR/First Aid and other health-related courses, supporting students throughout Tulsa and neighboring communities.

Williams says this work is important to her because she believes “career education is in need of redefined goals and objectives to better meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment.”

One nominator said, “Her empathy, compassion, and genuine passion for helping others improve their lives and achieve their career goals [is] truly inspiring. I have watched her pour into countless students, expecting nothing in return but their success. She gives selflessly, encourages wholeheartedly and changes lives through her dedication.”

Williams takes pride in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and watching students exceed their own expectations.

Her advice for young people beginning their careers is to first know themselves. “Take the time to reflect on what makes you feel valued and motivated,” Williams says. “Knowing yourself allows you to productively show up in the workplace with a stronger work ethic.”

Q&A with Wendy Williams

Please share a little background about yourself and your current role. How long have you been in your current position? What other things have you done leading up to your current role? Also, if you’d like to share a little about your personal life, please do!

I am a healthcare professional and educator; I moved to Tulsa in 1989 from Chicago, Illinois. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Dillard University in New Orleans in 1988, followed by two master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma: A Master of Public Health in 1995 and a Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2008.  

Throughout my career, I have held diverse roles across prominent institutions, including the University of Chicago Hospital, Doctors Hospital, the Tulsa Health Department, Tulsa Public Schools, the Veterans Administration, Tulsa Technology Center, Langston University School of Nursing and Morton Comprehensive Health Services.  

In 2016, I began the journey of entrepreneurship, training individuals to begin careers in entry-level healthcare roles. Currently, I serve as the Executive Director for the Miss Weary Foundation and as administrator for the Health and Safety Education Training Center, a program of the Foundation. In these capacities, I oversee healthcare training programs for Certified Nurse Aides, Certified Medication Aides, Practical Nursing, AHA CPR/First Aid and other health-related courses, supporting students throughout Tulsa and neighboring communities.  

I am a dedicated community leader and frequently volunteer and provide health education at church and community events. In 2010, I founded and became president of the Eastern Oklahoma Black Nurses Association, Inc. I am a Lifetime Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and have received several prestigious honors, including the Frankie Muse Freeman Community Service Award at the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Centennial National Convention in 2013 and the Tulsa area YWCA Pinnacle Award in 2022.

My board service includes the American Heart Association (Tulsa Area) past member, Tulsa Opera Board of Directors (Development Committee), Trinity Woods Senior Living Community (Human Resource Committee) and No Longer Unseen, Inc.  (Charter Board member).  

On a personal note, I have been married to Attorney Danny C. Williams for 36 years. We are the proud parents of two accomplished children—Morgan, a graduate of Langston University, and Attorney Danny Jr., a graduate of Tulsa University and Loyola Chicago Law School—and grandparents to Kairo Chappelle Williams. 

Through my unwavering commitment to education and community health, I continue to inspire and empower others, seamlessly integrating my passion for teaching with my vision of building a healthier society.  

You were nominated because others felt you have an impact on the community in some way. How do you feel that your position/work impacts the community? Why is that important to you?

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, I recognize the importance of developing programs that reflect and respond to the diverse populations served. As a Registered Nurse with experience as both a bedside clinician and an educator, I have consistently aligned my passion for caring with the commitment to teaching.  

As founder and executive director of Miss Weary Foundation and the Health and Safety Education Training Center, I have had the opportunity to address challenges in education across multiple levels and to develop innovative solutions that support student success. I can directly address workforce shortages through preparing well-trained nurses and axillary staff. I take great pride in witnessing students exceed their own expectations and am deeply fulfilled by supporting their academic and professional growth. 

This work is important to me because I believe that career education is in need of redefined goals and objectives to better meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment. I am driven, motivated and committed to contributing to these necessary changes and to positively influencing the future trajectory of the healthcare workforce. 

What advice would you have for a young person beginning their career?

My advice to young people beginning their career journey would be to first know themselves better. Take the time to reflect on what makes them feel valued and motivated. Knowing one’s self allows you to productively show up in the workplace with a stronger work ethic. Secondly, I would advise to do the research on the career of consideration. Learning all about what is required to successfully enter a career will increase job satisfaction and preparedness. Beginning anything new requires commitment — a career commitment is generally a lifetime commitment. I believe young people should take this step seriously. 

Preparing academically is paramount in choosing a career. Developing good study habits and time management skills are part of the preparation towards beginning a career. These early training days will follow you into your daily career activities and shape the type of employee you will become. I always tell my students to build on all the experiences they have had up to beginning school. Each experience, positive or negative shape the professional you desire to become. 

Lastly, choose to have fun! Enjoy your career; it will make showing up every day easy. To truly love your job will increase the likelihood of you thriving and progressing in your career. The further you go, the more lives you’re able to impact in a positive way. 

 Do you have a fun fact that you can share about yourself, or do you have a favorite place to go in Tulsa (restaurant, entertainment venue)?

I love street tacos! A good taco truck is always in order. One of my favorite eating places is Tuly’s in Downtown Tulsa.