Famed songwriter Dolly Parton once said, “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” Melida Ailshire, over the years as a businesswoman, devoted mother, loving wife, and community volunteer, has created a legacy as one of Texoma’s most valued treasures.
Melida Ailshire was born in Granada, Nicaragua, during a time of political unrest. In 1978, as a child, Melida fled her homeland during the Sandinista revolution with her family to Venezuela. They resided there for several years, eventually moving to Panama City, Panama. While in Panama, Melida lived in a religious convent where she worked various jobs. Over three years, she saved enough money to retrieve her entire family from Venezuela.
It was also in Panama where Melida met her husband, Tom Ailshire. Tom, a Sherman native, joined the military after high school and was finishing his deployment when the two met. The couple returned to Sherman in 1992 where Tom began his longtime career in the automotive industry where he has prospered for over thirty years.
It wasn’t long before Melida became a mother of three while also employed full-time. She is the owner of J-Talk Services, a translation and interpreter business. In addition to being a working mom, Melida decided to attend Austin College. “Balancing household responsibilities, my children's school activities, my job, and my studies kept me incredibly busy,” recalls Melida. “There were challenging moments, but those experiences taught me invaluable lessons in resilience and time management. As a nontraditional student, I truly cherished my time at the small but mighty Austin College, where I felt supported every step of the way,” she remarked.
After graduating, Melida considered law school but decided to expand her business instead. By developing more connections as a translator and interpreter for various institutions, she increased J-Talk Services to include city, state, and federal courts, plus nearby Tribal Courts. She also became a Certified Master Court Interpreter, an experience Melida declares as an immensely rewarding experience.
Giving back to the community is of high importance to Melida. “I just love helping others. It took me a while to get started. I wasn’t involved right away,” she proclaims. In fact, it was Henry Bucher, Austin College Chaplin, who suggested Melida participate in Hurricane Mitch relief efforts damaging Nicaragua. That’s all Melida needed – she’s been involved ever since in organizations like the local Rotary Club, Sherman Chamber of Commerce, and even as a board member for Austin College. “Monetary donations are wonderful, but organizations need your time most because nothing gets done without volunteers,” Melida acknowledges.
Most recently, Melida is known as a primary inspiration for the inaugural Grayson’s Leading Outstanding Women of Influence (GLOWI) Awards in Grayson County, honoring exceptional ladies in the Texoma area. Melida was thrilled to have so many women celebrated last fall. “It’s the women in this community who do so much for me. They inspire me to be a better version of myself, which motivates me to do more,” she says happily.
While Melida is humble, her leadership has not gone unnoticed within the community. In 2015, she received the Sherman Chamber of Commerce Community Leader of the Year. The Denison Chamber of Commerce presented her with the Denison Chamber Select Award in 2013 for her community efforts and volunteerism. Melida has also been awarded the Big Sister of the Year Award in Grayson County, plus she received numerous other honors for her acts of kindness.
For Melida, it is easy to support a community that has given so much to her and her family. “There’s so much to love about Sherman and the entire Texoma area, the business community, shopping, fine dining, and the beautiful activities at Lake Texoma,” she notes. “My children were raised here, creating lasting friendships and memories that will forever be part of our lives in Texas and Oklahoma. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a community that radiates warmth and acceptance,” she continued. Melida Ailshire has inspired others with her leadership and service, encouraging others to do more and become more, proving that, indeed, she is one of the region’s most valued legacies and treasures.