LU alum DeMonica Gladney named among Top 30 Influential Women of Houston
Lamar University alumna DeMonica D. Gladney ’90 has been named a Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honoree.
The Top Women 30 celebrates the accomplishments and giving spirit of hundreds of diverse, influential and powerful women in Houston and the surrounding areas. The women come from a variety of backgrounds, share different beliefs and have overcome obstacles, but all have a common goal –– to excel and mentor the next generation of leaders. Candidates are selected through either self-nomination or can be nominated by others.
Honorees will be formally recognized at the annual The Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards gala.
About Monica D. Gladney:
DeMonica D. Gladney, Esquire, is a native of Houston, Texas. She received her bachelor of science degree in criminal justice, cum laude, from Lamar University and Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center. She began her legal career as a Briefing Attorney for the Texas Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston. Gladney currently serves as senior counsel for ExxonMobil, where she has practiced for more than 27 years. 
Gladney is a past President of the Houston Lawyers Association, chair of the African American Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas and Chair of the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division. She also is a member of the Houston Bar Association and the Corporate Counsel Women of Color. Gladney has received many awards for her legal service including the NBA Distinguished Scroll of Women Lawyers Award, the NBA Presidential Award, the Top 50 Black Attorneys in Houston - Super Attorney Award, the University of Houston Black Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the National Black Pre-Law Conference’s Special Recognition and Commitment to the Cause Service Awards, and the NAACP Award for Legal Excellence. She was also honored in Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals and Who’s Who in Black Houston.
In addition to a successful legal career, Gladney is an accomplished writer, poet and inspirational speaker. She is the bestselling author of the new release, “My Journey: Poetic Expressions Inspired by Faith,” as well as “Identity Theft: Discovering the Real You,” “Willing to Wait: From Revelation to Manifestation,” and “Reflections from God.” She has received many awards for her literary work, including the i10-Media Influential Award for Authors and the Houston’s Favorite Author Award. Gladney has been featured on the Daystar Television Network and various television and radio talk shows around the country, and in print media, including American Family News, The Christian Post Reporter, the Pearland Reporter News, Houston Forward Times Magazine, Black Christian News Network, Houston Style Magazine and Ladies First Magazine.
Gladney served as the pro bono coordinator for ExxonMobil and was a member of the executive board of the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program. She is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and former board chair of the Houston Lawyers Foundation. She is a proud member of the Mu Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is a Silver Star honoree for her more than 25 years of service. She also is a committed member of Covenant Glen Church and serves in the legal ministry.