TFRW Woman of Distinction – December 2021
Our TFRW December Woman of Distinction is Judge Cyndi Wheless, the presiding judge of the 417th District Court in Collin County.
Cyndi Wheless currently serves as the presiding judge of the 417th District Court in Collin County, hearing juvenile and child welfare cases.
After graduation from Plano Senior High School in 1982, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics at the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating cum laude, and received her law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. She is board certified in juvenile law. She was the first female in Collin County to serve as a Mental Health Magistrate in 1995 in the probate court, and was the first to start a program called GEMS, Girls Empowerment and Mentoring Support to help young women who have been sex trafficked. In 2004 she was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the 417th District Court, designated as a juvenile court, where she currently presides.
Cyndi stands out among the Republican Women in the great state of Texas not only because of her outstanding record as a Judge, but as a compassionate, caring and “hands on” Texas Patriot. She has a passion for people who need a “helping hand” as demonstrated by her involvement with persons who have mental health issues, young women who have been victims of sex trafficking, and wayward juveniles who need guidance, just to mention a few.
Judge Wheless has enjoyed a long involvement with TFRW and the Republican Party. She has served as an Election Judge, Precinct Chairman, chaired many committees and served in many positions in Conner Harrington RW and Golden Corridor RW. She has served as Lincoln Day Dinner Chairman for Collin County GOP, and has attended both the biennial TFRW Convention and the Republican State Convention for the majority of the last 30 years.
Judge Wheless has devoted her career to seeking justice for young people who are thrust into the foster care system “through no fault of their own.” She was the first judge to bring National Adoption Day to Collin County within months of being appointed to the juvenile court bench, an amazing event that is still celebrated each November. It is her goal to reflect well on the Republican Party and those men and women of the TFRW clubs whose shoulders she stands on. She credits her husband and parents with showing her the ropes of political and community involvement.
She knows that no elected official would be able to do what they do without the stalwart support of TFRW and the GOP! She has been married to Judge Ray Wheless, Regional Presiding Judge for the First Administrative Region, for 32 years. Together they have two wonderful sons, Ryan (age 27), and Dylan (age 24).
