MIAMI COUNTY
DEMOCRATIC WOMEN
Kay Wheeler
President
My name is Kay Wheeler. I am a graduate of Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. For 30 years, primarily in Miami County, I was employed by Children’s Services. I am married to Russ Wheeler and the mother of two boys, both serving in law enforcement. I play the hammered dulcimer with a group called Nine Mile Creek. Reading is a passion, as are our 6 grandchildren.
While I have been a lifelong democrat, growing up in a republican household, I didn’t become active in politics until the 2012 campaign. I knocked on doors, made calls and entered data. I was elected president of the Democratic Women this year.
While the mission of the Democratic Women is to support Democratic candidates and issues, I am hoping to focus on women’s issues, children’s issues and health care through education, public discussions and service to the communities in Miami County. By utilizing the strengths of the executive board and membership, Democratic women will make a difference.
Angie Pottenger
Vice President
I suppose I should start off by saying that I was born to be a Democrat. My great grandmother fought for the suffrage movement, and thanks to her, I have the right to vote. Fighting for the greater good has always been a matter of pride in my family, and I feel that's what the Democratic party stands for. I believe in standing up for the rights of all people, and fighting for those that cannot fight for themselves. Every election, my grandmother and mother worked the polls here in Miami County, and I remember being little and watching everyone come in to vote, counting down the years till I could use my voice and be heard. I am a Democrat, and I will ride this big, beautiful, Blue Wave with all the tenacity in my heart until it lands us all on the shores of rationality, stability, and reason.
Kristy Holm
Secretary
My name is Kristy Holm. I am a Troy Trojan. I was born here, graduated from Troy High School, and worked as an intervention specialist and teacher for 25 years in Troy. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Miami University and a Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. I am currently a Child Outreach Specialist for Goodwill Easter Seals, screening infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for developmental delays. I volunteer at Partners in Hope and have been an active member of the First United Methodist Church for over 20 years. I’ve been married to Gordon Holm for 46 years. We have three married daughters and 8 grandchildren ages 3 to 19. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, gardening, reading, travelling, and volunteering.
It is an honor to have been elected to the position of recording secretary for the Miami County Democratic Women. Beyond voting, making phone calls for candidates, providing monetary donations in support of candidates, reading about issues, and engaging in political discussions and arguments, I don’t have much experience in the political arena. I agreed to serve because I believe we all need to lend support to causes we believe in. Although Miami County is a primarily Republican county, I believe there is a place for Democrats and Democratic principles here, particularly in the present political climate.
I’m a team player and a hard worker and promise to do my best to represent the Miami County Democratic Women factually through the recording of meeting minutes and the support of the organization’s activities and projects.
Tomla Caldwell
Treasurer
My name is Tomla Caldwell and I was born and raised in Troy. I graduated from Troy High School in 1972. I attended Bellarmine University for one year, when it was still a college and finished my BS in Education in 1977 at the University of Evansville, Indiana. In 1995, I completed my Masters of Education in Educational Psychology from Miami (Ohio) University. I taught Junior High and Intermediate aged children who were Severely Behavior Handicapped for Indianapolis Public Schools and then Intermediate and High School aged children who attended a partial hospitalization program for Belmont County, Ohio Schools. I was the president of a cooperative preschool in Mt. Vernon, Ohio and as Head Teacher for a daycare and learning center in Tuckerton, New Jersey. I retired in 2013 from the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services where I worked as Behavior Specialist for individuals aged 18 and up. I have lived in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio (several locations), Michigan, and New Jersey before making the decision to return home to Troy in 1993.
My reason for becoming involved with the Miami County Democratic Women was the campaign and election in 2016. I was angry about the choices that were offered for the presidential candidate from both sides. Although, I felt Hillary Clinton was the better choice, she had too much baggage remaining from her time as Secretary of State. I was scared of the Republican candidate and what he could to our country and the people of our nation. Frankly, I become more afraid everyday that he remains in office as to what problems he will leave for my children and grandchildren. My thoughts became if I was not part of the solution, then I was part of the problem. I stepped up shortly after the inauguration and became treasurer in May.