How one Public Relations Professional Made a Difference in Her Communities
By: Valerie Tonn
As a current University of North Texas public relations student, I am gaining into the public relations industry through many different professors. One professor that has inspired me is Rebecca Poynter, UNT Mayborn School of Journalism’s Senior Lecturer.
With many different jobs and over 35 years of communications experience, students hear Poynter mention her mantra at some point.
“Either do something worth the writing or write something worth the reading.” Ben Franklin said.
Upon graduation, I aspire to find this level of balance that Poynter has between the
workforce and giving back to others.
Making an Impact Within the Military Community
Poynter worked to gain equal rights for military spouses after relocation between states required only the spouses to become residents of the states that they resided in. In contrast, military members could uphold a home state to avoid this process. This put extra stress on spouses during relocation periods.
Helping to lead a campaign caused Poynter testifying before the Senate Committee of Veterans’ Affairs. Additionally, a social media campaign was run through Facebook. As a result of these efforts, the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act was signed into law Nov. 11, 2009.
“It’s a great American process that a group of citizens can petition the government and be able to achieve what we needed,” said Rebecca Poynter. “I think that was very exciting.”
Drones for Education
OnPoynt is Poynter and her husband’s current venture in the community. With their own patent for Drone Racing and Gaming System, Poynter is shown to also be an innovator within her own community. These drones are used for educational purposes, helping teach students about aviation and STEM.
Educator and Mentor
With nine years of lecturing experience at UNT, Poynter has had the opportunity to watch many students grow and offer them career advice.
“I try to be an advocate,” Poynter said. “I think everyone must learn to be an advocate for themselves in what they believe in and who they are, but I try to be an advocate for others particularly for their careers.”
As an advocate of learning, she has helped many students get ready for the workforce and even at times helped find them careers. As one of the students who has witnessed Poynter teach, I know that she will push me into the right direction when looking to grow my PR skills. This is just another example of the many ways Poynter has been known to give back to her community.
“In my own world I would like to be a Ben Franklin- able to lead, write, invent and influence for good,” said Poynter.
I hope in my own world to be a Poynter, despite wherever I end up, I find ways to help those around me.
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About the Author
Valerie Tonn is an aspiring public relations professional in Denton, Texas. She is attaining her bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations and minoring in marketing. Tonn intends to graduate Dec. 2023.
References
Our faculty advisors. AGENZ. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://www.agenzpr.com/copy-of-spring-2021-team
Mayborn School of Journalism. Home. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://journalism.unt.edu/
Rebecca Poynter, MJ. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://journalism.unt.edu/people/rebecca-poynter-mj
ONPOYNT drone solutions - about Us. OnPoynt. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://onpoynt.com/pages/about-us
https://www.veterans.senate.gov/services/files/418D25AB-2AC6-42DF-8642-D5707CA3523B. (n.d.). Rebecca Noah Poynter, Director, Military Spouse Business Organization. U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, January 4). Military spouses residency relief act. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Spouses_Residency_Relief_Act
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