HERstory in Portraits: Liz

Bridging Cultures, Building Confidence in Katy

Women are driving change in communities, businesses, and entire industries across Texas. Their stories are often quietly powerful, rooted in everyday acts of leadership, mentorship, and service. Yet too often, their contributions go unseen. HERstory in Portraits is here to change that by shining a light on women like Liz, who are shaping Texas with strength, creativity, and authenticity.

For over 20 years, Liz has been quietly making Greater Houston a more welcoming, inclusive place – not through headlines or corporate titles, but by giving her time, her empathy, and her life experience to others. A former expat herself, Liz teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) to immigrants and newcomers from around the globe. From preschoolers to adults, her students span cultures and generations. Her classroom is more than just a place to learn vocabulary, it's a bridge into a new life.

“A lot of us are just moms trying to bring our kids up in a new place,” Liz says, matter-of-factly. But behind that humility lies a profound truth: the journey of motherhood, cultural adjustment, and finding belonging in a new country is often a shared one, and Liz is helping women navigate it with confidence and compassion.

From Scotland to Houston: A Global Journey

Liz’s own story is one of movement. Originally from Scotland, she and her husband, whose career eventually brought them to Houston, have lived all over the world. Time in Japan and Korea stands out as especially rich and fulfilling experiences that shaped her perspective and deepened her empathy for those adjusting to life in a foreign country.

Though she doesn’t claim fluency in other languages, Liz speaks what she affectionately calls “a smashing of lots of different things.” She may default to Japanese when trying to recall a phrase in Spanish or Korean, but her global mindset is clear. It’s this perspective that fuels her ESL teaching and helps her connect with students from South America, Europe, and Asia alike.

When her family settled in Houston more than 20 years ago, Liz balanced raising two children with part-time jobs and volunteer work. Over time, her commitment to community engagement, especially through language education and fitness, grew stronger.

Teaching English, Teaching Belonging

Today, Liz teaches ESL to a wide range of students from young children to mothers and professionals adapting to life in the U.S. But her teaching goes far beyond grammar and vocabulary.

“I am trying to get these wives and mothers more confident in speaking English and in the customs of both the U.S. and Texas,” she explains, “so they can build a life here for themselves and their families, and get involved in the community, rather than sit home and watch TV all day.”

For many of her students, language is the first barrier to overcome. But just as important is understanding how to thrive in a new culture. Liz helps her students learn how to navigate local customs, schools, transportation systems, and social norms, encouraging them to build connections beyond the home.

“I was a newbie here,” she says, “and I see them arriving in the country with the same issues I had, even over 20 years ago.”

Her approach is grounded in empathy, patience, and real-world knowledge. She’s not just teaching them how to order at a restaurant or fill out a school form, she’s helping them step into life in Texas with courage, mixing up the lesson style. “I’ve included some cooking lessons, partly for students to try more western cooking, and tbh, it’s more fun than grammar. It provides a more relaxed environment, which helps with conversation. We’ve also had outings to coffee shops or lunch places where they have to order for themselves in English.”

Texas Culture, Through a Welcoming Lens

Liz embraces Texas culture with the curiosity and insight of someone who came to it as an outsider and has now made it home.

When helping her students acclimate, she recommends that they explore the natural beauty of the state as a way to connect with their new surroundings. Instead of sending overwhelmed newcomers straight to the sprawling Houston Rodeo, Liz suggests something more approachable:

“I recommend they visit Brazos Bend State Park or go to smaller, local rodeos like the one put on by Katy ISD,” she says. “There’s less sensory overload, and less driving. It’s more accessible.”

That’s an important point: many of the women she teaches don’t drive, coming from countries where public transportation or walking are the norm. Navigating Houston’s car-centric lifestyle can be a huge challenge, especially for those new to the language and unfamiliar with the school system.

Liz gently encourages moms to get involved in their children’s education, a vital stepping stone to community integration.

“Do the usual mom bit, volunteer here and there,” she advises. And when it comes to embracing local traditions, she finds that the festive and sometimes flamboyant rituals of Texas high school homecomings can be a surprisingly fun entry point. “We’ve also been to some high school events together like Homecoming games, soccer games, and theatre productions so they can see life around Katy.”

Investing in Others – and in Herself

In every interaction, Liz reflects the core belief that visibility matters. Her story may not appear on billboards or TV commercials, but her impact is deep and lasting. For the women in her classes, she is a mentor, a guide, and a reminder that they belong.

She also models something else: that women deserve to invest in themselves, not just give to others. Liz finds joy and balance through fitness, not just for her own health, but also by teaching fitness to children in her community. It’s one more way she contributes, shares her energy, and connects with others.

Why HERstory Matters

Liz’s journey reflects what HERstory in Portraits is all about. In every ESL lesson, every volunteering role, and every moment spent welcoming a newcomer, she embodies leadership.

Her story also reminds us that community-building doesn’t always start in boardrooms… sometimes, it starts in classrooms, school pick-up lines, or quiet conversations between mothers.

When we recognize and elevate stories like hers, we help create a Texas that is not only more inclusive, but more vibrant, connected, and strong.

With humility, warmth, and persistence, Liz is helping women step out of isolation and into connection. She’s passing down the lessons she learned as a newcomer herself, and in doing so, she’s shaping the future of Texas one confident voice at a time.

That’s HERstory. And it’s worth celebrating.

Want to share your story? Visit www.maureenoshay.com/herstory