Betty Funderburke, an Aurora businesswoman, has been awarded Toastmaster International’s highest achievement, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). The award is the culmination of her four years of participation as a member of a number of Aurora local toastmasters clubs. To earn the DTM (the highest designation awarded by Toastmasters International), Betty had to give 40+ speeches and execute a number of leadership projects. Two of her favorite speeches were "Angels" and "Creation." While serving as District Secretary in 2009-2010, she and her sister, Elinora Reynolds co-sponsored a new toastmasters club in Aurora – Absolutely Articulate Toastmasters Club #1272692 that meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month at 8:45 am at the Life Care Center of Aurora. Proudly joining her younger sister, Elinora Reynolds who earned her DTM in 2009, these sassy sisters continue to stand out in the Aurora community as role models and leaders. After joining Toastmasters International in 2003, Elinora encouraged her sister, Betty to join 3 years later. In 2009, Elinora (a local event planner and grant writer) was named Area Governor of the Year and in 2010, Betty was named Toastmaster of the Year in her home club.

Betty Funderburke currently works as a Host Home provider for developmentally and mentally challenged adults. Having received many community awards based on her community outreach work to help others, Betty’s unselfish love and desire to reach out to others have proven to be helpful in her role as club co-sponsor, mentor and leader. As co-founder of the city’s Annual Back Home Gospel Shout Out event and a devoted member of her church (Free Indeed Deliverance Ministry), Betty says "I credit God, my parents, and our good family rearing in Kansas City, Missouri where I was encouraged to speak up and help others as key factors that have made an impact overflowing