ANNOUNCING THE WOMAN OF THE MONTH

Meet February’s Fort Worth Woman, Teresa Tysinger.  A storyteller at heart, Teresa’s journey from the lush landscapes of North Carolina to the vibrant cityscape of Fort Worth is a tale of passion, perseverance, as well as the power of community.

Teresa’s story begins in Orlando, Florida, and meanders through the mountains of North Carolina, where she cultivated a deep-seated love for words. As a young girl, her world was shaped by the rhythm of poetry, the narratives of books, and the soulful lyrics of songs. Her high school years were marked by her role as the editor of the school newspaper and a stint writing for The Orlando Sentinel’s teen section. Teresa’s commitment to her craft led her to serve as the president of her college’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter, an International English Honor Society, highlighting her early dedication to the world of letters.

Teresa’s academic journey is as impressive as her literary passion. With an undergraduate degree in professional writing and a graduate degree in editing and publishing, she seemed destined for a career in the publishing world. However, her path took an intriguing turn. While in graduate school, Teresa took a job coordinating communication efforts for a large church in Greensboro, North Carolina, laying the foundation for a career that would later blossom in Fort Worth. She describes further, “Once I had my Mater’s degree in hand, I was promoted to Coordinator of Media and Communications. I absolutely loved the work, which allowed me to flex my writing/editing muscles while also mastering graphic deign and marketing skills. I had been with the church for eight years when the move to Texas presented itself.”

The decision to move to Texas, driven by her husband’s career in theatre, marked a pivotal chapter in Teresa’s life. Initially settling in Grand Prairie but with a job in Cowtown, she quickly embraced Fort Worth’s unique blend of small-town charm and big-city opportunities. Teresa elaborates, “Working at First Presbyterian exposed me to many amazing things about the city. It’s outreach efforts showed me how people of Fort Worth come together to help one another. When we first relocated to Texas, we rented in Grand Prairie and split the commute to Dallas (for my husband) and Fort Worth (for me). After a few years he took a sabbatical from the Dallas Theatre Center to work on a few productions in New York City – opportunities of a lifetime for him! I jumped at the chance to move our home-base to Fort Worth with our daughter Emma. Our neighbors were sweet and kind and hospitable. When my husband returned from NYC, I vowed we’d never leave Fort Worth.” Her role as the Director of Communications for First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, located near the picturesque Trinity River, allowed her to connect with the community, showcasing the city’s spirit of collaboration and cultural vibrancy.

Time continued to develop. As Teresa’s husband joined the faculty of Fort Worth Country Day as their technical theatre teacher and manager of the Scott Theatre, she has now spent the last five years working remotely from home as the Director of Communications and Public Relations for the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation – a national non-profit based in Nashville, TN.  Teresa emphatically states, “I am blessed to continue my career while enjoying all Fort Worth has to offer!”

Teresa’s creative spirit found a new outlet in her establishment of her very own Good Day Publishing. Her sweet romance novels, inspired by her faith and love for North Carolina, offer readers a chance to escape into worlds of hope and happy endings. She describes, “I guess you could say it allows me to have my cake and eat it too- enjoying the pleasure of living in such a fantastic town while honoring the part of my heart that belongs back east. Though I wear my author hat part-time, it’s my passion to bring readers near and far a glimpse of hope through my stories. Sweet romance and happy endings can offer a real escape from the everyday grind and hustle.”  Her recent work, a novella in the “Marry Christmas” collection, achieved notable success, debuting at #1 in several Amazon categories. With her tenth novel, “Loving Penny,” set for release, Teresa continues to enchant readers with her storytelling.

As an author Teresa’s impact is felt worldwide, as a Director of Communications her impact is felt nationwide and given the kind of person she is at heart, Teresa also makes sure that her impact hits locally here at home. Her involvement in local arts and theater includes serving as the head of Public Relations for the Slaughter Family Arts Awards. Teresa describes, “Now in its fifth year of recognizing excellence in art students within the Fort Worth area, the non-profit organization has awarded $40,000 in scholarships.” Supporting local educational theater programs underscores her commitment to enriching the cultural fabric of the city. In addition, Teresa supports (via graphic design and marketing) Spotlight Cast & Crew, a tuition-free summer musical theatre program for Fort Worth are students as well as serving as the Communications Officer for the Paschal High School Theatre Boosters Board.

For Teresa, Fort Worth is more than just a city; it’s a community that resonates with her soul. She cherishes the city’s blend of tradition and modernity, its vibrant arts scene, and the warmth of its people. She lovingly states, “I love that the first piece of advice I received from a local was that Joe T’s margaritas are stronger than they taste. I love that I don’t even notice the sounds of the train yard anymore. And I love that my neighbors text me when we accidentally leave our garage door open at night. Fort Worth may not have been a place I ever expected to live, but it’s a place I affectionately call home.” Teresa’s journey is a testament to the power of embracing new beginnings and the beauty of finding a place to call home.

As a woman using many talents to better Fort Worth, her word for her impact was fitting – excited. Teresa states, “I am always excited to reach my Fort Worth neighbors whether as readers clients, or new friends.” Her kind enthusiasm is special, contagious, and causing ripple-effects here in town.

Teresa Tysinger’s story stands as an inspiration. Her blend of creative talent, community involvement, and genuine love for Fort Worth exemplifies the spirit of the Fort Worth Woman. To connect with Teresa as a reader or client, you can find her at https://teresatysinger.com as well as on Instagram @teresatysinger_author. She is also available by e-mail at teresa@teresatysinger.com for all design, editing, or market services.

Readers can find her books here on Amazon and you can also sign up for her e-newsletter at https://teresatysinger.com.