Killeen military vet inspired by personal misfortune to provide help and support for others

“I was diagnosed in January of ’22, and at that time, we were kind of coming out of COVID, so I was having a hard time finding a support group,” the longtime Killeen resident and U.S. Army veteran said. “I was going through radiation treatments — I never had to do chemo — and there was a lady who was always there, and she always looked defeated. We started talking and I told her about my vision and what I wanted to do.

“That’s how Women Emerge started. I didn’t want anyone else to not be able to have a support system. I think just seeing that lady’s face and being able to see her smile let me know this is what I was supposed to do.”

Women Emerge Inc. is a group founded by McDaniel to provide that support. It has since expanded into helping victims of things like domestic violence, financial issues, and other concerns.

“We’re not only breast cancer anymore,” said McDaniel, who serves as director and oversees a nine-member board. “I never wanted it to be only about breast cancer. We’re also a women’s empowerment organization. We want to empower women in all areas: domestic violence, finances, sickness, daycare for the kids if they need to go to a doctor’s appointment or shopping or something. We just want to be there for women.”

According to the group’s website, women-emerge.org, the organization seeks “to champion women to emerge from adversity by providing resources, networks, effective connections, and solutions to the issues that they face. Our purpose is to educate, motivate, encourage, restore, galvanize, and empower.

“Our vision is to see women, including breast cancer survivors, emerge from adversities to heal, thrive, and grow. We envision a society where women’s voices are heard, their contributions are valued, and their leadership is recognized. Together, we will ignite a movement that empowers women to survive and thrive inspiring generations to come.”

McDaniel was born in Williamston, North Carolina, near Greenville. She graduated high school in 1983 and promptly headed to Boston, Massachusetts, to try her luck in Beantown.

“I was a country girl going to the big city, with the hopes of going to college. I got there and started working. I did eventually go to college but not right away. I worked for a while and after a few years, I went back to North Carolina because the big city really was too much for me. It wasn’t my cup of tea, so I went back but I didn’t want to be in a small town, either.

“I remember walking in the downtown area of my little town, and I saw the recruiting station, and I joined the Army. I joined in 1986 and got out in ’90. My plan was to stay in longer (but) I met my first husband (a soldier) and I wanted to be able to go wherever he went and be wherever he was and all those things, so I got out.

“I went overseas with my first husband to Italy, which was beautiful. We were there three years and came back to Killeen. We divorced in 2005 (and) I met my for-the-rest-of-my-life husband in 2007, and we were married in 2008.”

Along with managing and developing Women Emerge, McDaniel serves as dispatcher, administrative assistant, human resources manager, and whatever else is needed in the office for her husband’s trucking company, NeltaJoe Transport.

Needless to say, she stays plenty busy.

“I work from eight in the morning to maybe 12 or one, two o’clock the next morning,” said Novice, who holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in counseling, and a doctorate in biblical studies. “There is a drive … something that’s making me do it. I don’t feel like I’m working. I don’t feel tired. What I’m doing is a joy.

“A friend called and asked me to go to Darnall hospital on Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos) and talk to a friend of hers who was having breast cancer surgery in the morning. She was taking it hard and didn’t have anyone to talk to. So, I got there, and we talked. I cried with her (and) we prayed together. She went through the surgery and she came out well. For a few months, she still had a hard time but every time I see her now, she runs up and gives me the biggest hug.

“I was so happy for her. She has joined Women Emerge (and) she’s getting ready to start helping me out with the breast cancer support group. That’s one of those stories that reinforces I am doing what I’m supposed to do — and I didn’t do that much. It was just showing up for somebody.”

Women Emerge meets now once a month for planning sessions, and the board meets quarterly. Anyone interested in joining the group or finding out more is invited to go to the website for more information.

More than halfway through Women’s History Month, McDaniel, who is now cancer-free, says it is important to recognize the contributions made by women, throughout history and into the future.

“I know a lot of women who do so much, and they are not recognized for what they do,” the mother of two and grandmother of two said. “My message is you can be who God says you are (and) you can do everything he says you can do. I just want to carry that positive message. We have been in business since 2022, and we have chapters in 17 states now.

“I am able to minister and help women and give them that positive message that they’re going to be OK (and) God is in control.

“When I started this, it felt like a hand in glove — like this is what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s going very well. I would give us an ‘A.’ We’re trucking right along. I believe we’ve surpassed where I thought we would be by this time. We’re not there yet, but we’re setting things in order. Meeting with different people who can help us, so I can get the organization to where I want it to be.

“When I look back over everything I’ve done in my life, I’ve always had an affinity toward helping women to step up. Years ago, I was in a domestic violence situation and once I got out of that, I always wanted to help other women. I believe it’s my calling.”