DALLAS – March 28, 2024 – Junior League of Dallas (JLD) awarded $40,000 in collegiate scholarships to 10 college-bound women from Dallas ISD during its 11^th annual Women LEAD Speech Competition and Awards Ceremony held Saturday, March 23 at JLD Headquarters. The top 10 ranked finalists were selected from a highly competitive set of 26 applicants from Emmett J. Conrad High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, and South Oak Cliff High School. Founded in 2013 by JLD, the Women LEAD (Learn. Excel. Achieve. Dream.) scholarship program was created to assist female high school students in pursuing their dreams of higher education and to create opportunities for future women leaders. Since the program began, the League has awarded 72 scholarships totaling $345,000 to female seniors from these three area high schools.

 “The dedication, passion, and resilience demonstrated by these young women throughout the Women LEAD program have been inspiring,” said JLD President Christina Eubanks. “As they prepare to embark on their next chapter in higher education, we are filled with immense pride and optimism for what the future holds. These young women not only embody the values of leadership and excellence that we cherish but also remind us of the power of education and mentorship. The Junior League of Dallas is honored to have played a role in their journey and looks forward to witnessing their continued success and contributions to the community.”

In October, Women LEAD Chair Cathryn McClellan and Signature Projects Vice President Emily Ronck and their committee held workshops at the three high schools to review the application and scholarship program. After the finalists were selected in early February, JLD members re-visited the schools to hold public speaking workshops. The committee scored applications based on the criteria of academic performance, resume, letters of recommendation, transcript, and an essay.

The top 10 ranked applicants were invited to present their speeches on March 23 in front of this year’s judges including: JLD President Christina Eubanks; Nordstrom Stylist Program Manager Jessica Tennison; and Senior Philanthropy Officer of Communities Foundation of Texas Ashley McIver. Former TV reporter and JLD Sustainer Calvert Collins-Bratton emceed the event.

In the oratory competition, the students were given this prompt: In 2020, Team USA gymnast Simone Biles made the difficult decision to step away from gymnastics right before the women’s all-around final in the Tokyo Olympics. She faced criticism for this decision but remained confident that she needed to step away to focus on her mental health. We’ve all had to make difficult decisions that others don’t agree with. Tell us about a time when you made an unpopular choice that was in your best interest.

In response, the audience and judges heard inspirational speeches from each of the top 10 finalists, including: Liliana Aguirre, Miranda Castillo, Genesis Stephanie Contreras, Anatupenda Daphrose, Lidiya Gebrehiwot, Amy Jeanette Lopez, Jazmin Martinez, Prava Pokhrel, Naimat Rabiu, and Tosminara Shamsuddin. Additionally, the students spoke about their passions and how receiving a Women LEAD scholarship will help them achieve their goals. Individual passions motivate these students to chase their dreams and turn them into a reality, and each of these young women hope to fulfill those dreams in a way that will make a positive impact on the world and inspire the people around them.

Following the oratory competition, the judging panel tallied the votes and determined the winners based on the merits of their scholarship application and speech presentation. The winner of the $15,000 Women LEAD Scholarship Program was Naimat Rabiu. Second place winner Amy Lopez received a $10,000 scholarship; third place winner Anatupenda Daphrose received a $5,000 scholarship; fourth place winner Lidiya Gebrehiwot received a $3,000 scholarship; and fifth place winner Miranda Castillo received a $2,000 scholarship.  Honorable mention winners Liliana Aguirre, Genesis Stephanie Contreras, Jazmin Martinez, Prava Pokhrel, and Tosminara Shamsuddin each received a $1,000 scholarship.

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ABOUT JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS

The Junior League of Dallas cultivates women leaders who collectively address the critical needs of the community. Founded in 1922, JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world, as well as the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. Active members range in age from 22 to 49 with approximately 85% percent of women employed outside of the home. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 4,000 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, JLD provides approximately 100,000 hours in volunteer service and more than $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year. For more information, please visit www.jldallas.org or Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

The post JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS AWARDED $40,000 IN COLLEGIATE SCHOLARSHIPS TO 10 FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT ITS 11TH ANNUAL WOMEN LEAD SPEECH COMPETITION & AWARDS CEREMONY appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

CONTACT:Mary Thompson Charlebois
Brynn Bagot Public Relations
704.287.6171 | marythompson@brynnbagot.com

DALLAS – November 20, 2023 – For 102 years, the Junior League of Dallas (JLD) has equipped its members to be leaders and change-makers within our community. As part of an effort to re-imagine how League members are trained to serve, the JLD partnered with local nonprofit, BoardBuild, to educate JLD members to prepare them for nonprofit board service.

“Every day, hundreds of Dallas nonprofits are making a powerful difference in the lives and futures of our neighbors, and JLD members have long served on numerous nonprofit boards across our city, making an immeasurable impact on a range of critical issues,” said Christina Eubanks, Junior League of Dallas President. “We are excited to share this new partnership with BoardBuild, which will further enhance our members’ experience and help them make an even bigger impact in the Dallas area.”

Junior League of Dallas provisional, active and sustainer members were invited to be part of this customized hybrid learning program, at no cost. BoardBuild’s Board Essentials certification teaches best practices for effective board leadership and helps graduates connect with Dallas nonprofits that are actively seeking board members. Nonprofits can post open board and committee positions on the BoardBuild platform at no cost and can now specifically search for certified JLD members.

“The outpouring of interest from our membership shows JLD is a robust source of emerging and established leaders now equipped to serve nonprofits on another level. While we had 189 members earn their certification this fall, more than 100 additional members are still in progress. Through BoardBuild, JLD is serving our nonprofit community in a new way, making it easier than ever for agencies to directly match with qualified leaders!” explained Dulari Mehta, who is leading this effort within the League for the 2023-2024 service year.

BoardBuild is a North Texas-based nonprofit founded in 2019 that trains and certifies emerging and established leaders and connects them to serve on nonprofit boards. Last year, BoardBuild trained nearly 500 individuals nationwide and matched 124 individuals with nonprofit board positions, including 82 women and 67 BIPOC individuals.

“As women are underrepresented at the governance level across all board rooms, BoardBuild is proud to partner with the Junior League of Dallas to equip and empower talented and committed women to affect policy change and to be strong advocates for social impact,” said President and CEO of BoardBuild, Pam Cannell.

Cannell further went on with a call to action: “BoardBuild invites nonprofit organizations who seek to match with certified and qualified Junior League members to post their open board positions on the BoardBuild platform today at absolutely no cost.”

For more information on this program within the Junior League email boardbuild@jldallas.org.

To connect with BoardBuild, email pam.cannell@boardbuild.org and visit the page here BoardBuild.

The Junior League welcomes women who value its mission and is committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations and communities. If you are interested in membership in the Junior League of Dallas, applications for the 2024 – 2025 year are now open. Click HERE to complete an application. Applications close March 11, 2024.

The post JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS ANNOUNCES 202 MEMBERS CERTIFIED FOR NONPROFIT BOARD SERVICE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BOARDBUILD appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 

CONTACT: Brynn Bagot
Brynn Bagot Public Relations
214.770.4280 | brynn@brynnbagot.com

DALLAS – September 20, 2023 – The Junior League of Dallas (JLD) and presenting sponsor Texas Instruments (TI) awarded 38 Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) educators with grants of up to $2,500 each through the annual Grants for Innovative Teaching (GFIT) program. In its history, this JLD Signature Project has awarded more than $2.2 million to Dallas ISD educators, and this year, it will directly impact more than 30,000 students. It is designed to encourage excellence in education by funding special projects addressing reading and literacy enrichment; diversity; special education; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); or arts and culture enrichment across one or more grade levels. This year, $78,684 was distributed to support deserving educators’ winning projects during a ceremony held September 14, 2023, at Junior League of Dallas Headquarters.

“The Grants for Innovative Teaching Committee is in awe of the level of innovation, uniqueness and inclusivity that each of the educators so passionately brought to the table. We are thrilled to be able to provide financial support to these creative educators and impact more than 30,000 Dallas ISD students throughout this school year,” said JLD President Christina Eubanks. “The funding of these grants is possible through generous donations from our sponsors including: Texas Instruments (Presenting Sponsor) and The Agnes Cluthe Oliver Foundation. Without their continued generosity, this program would not exist.”

Some of the grants selected include: Eclipses are Totally Awesome, The Heart of Hawthorne-Learning Through the School Garden, and Future in Biotechnology. The projects awarded will provide students with diverse experiences and highlight the innovation of the Dallas ISD educators.

Eclipses are Totally Awesome will provide at least 2,000 sixth through eighth grade science students with safe solar viewing glasses to view the eclipse, which will take place on April 8, 2024. This eclipse will be a very unique experience for these students because in this century, only six more solar eclipses will take place in North America, but none of those will take place in the state of Texas. Students will study eclipses leading up to the date, including learning about space science, the math involved in studying solar eclipses, and long held beliefs about eclipses found in various cultures.

The Heart of Hawthorne – Learning Through the School Garden – This is the third phase of the Hawthorne garden and is designed to increase the sustainability of the garden after seeing great success at this elementary school campus after phases 1 and 2. Heart of Hawthorne aims to support academic achievement, social and emotional wellbeing, and the development of healthy lifestyle choices. The campus garden is instrumental in reducing stress among students, while making a positive impact on self-esteem and overall development. Cross-curricular connections through the integration of all content areas (science, math, social studies and reading) will help increase academic success and achievement. Active participation in the campus garden will also include health and nutrition awareness, as data suggests that students who grow vegetables are more likely to eat them.

Future in Biotechnology is designed to enable first year students in the Advanced Science Cluster magnet program to build skills in biotechnology and innovation by designing a prototype for the Toshiba/NSTA Exploravision Competition as part of the year’s curriculum, with an end of year capstone project. Previously, students have been limited due to a lack of ability to engage in hands-on industry quality biotechnology investigations. With the technology acquired through this grant, students will be able to better understand the technologies through hands-on experiential learning. The project also helps students build soft skills like presentation skills and resume preparation that will set the students up for long-term success.

“Teachers mean more to students’ academic success than any other part of the academic experience,” said Andy Smith, TI director of giving and volunteering. “They serve as role models and champions for their students, all while preparing them for future success. This is TI’s 14^th year to support the Junior League of Dallas’ Grants for Innovative Teaching awards, and we are proud to be a part of a program that recognizes such outstanding teachers as this year’s recipients.”

ABOUT JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS

The Junior League of Dallas cultivates leaders who collectively address the critical needs of the community. Founded in 1922, JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world, as well as the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. Active members range in age from 22 to 49 with approximately 85% percent of women employed outside of the home. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 4,000 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, JLD provides approximately 100,000 hours in volunteer service and more than $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year. For more information, please visit www.jldallas.org or Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

 ABOUT DALLAS ISD:

The Dallas Independent School District is continually preparing its more than 141,000 students for college or a career. The district offers a competitive mix of innovative programs, choice programs and instructional initiatives that support the increased academic achievement and the social and emotional development of its students. To learn more, visit www.dallasisd.org.

GFIT GRANT AWARD WINNERS 2023-2024

The post JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS AWARDED 38 DALLAS ISD TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS FUNDING THROUGH ANNUAL GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE TEACHING PROGRAM appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brynn Bagot
Brynn Bagot Public Relations
brynn@brynnbagot.com | 214.770.4280

DALLAS – September 29, 2023 – Junior League of Dallas (JLD) is excited to reveal that the 2024 Sustainer of the Year is Kathleen Gibson. Kathleen has been a vital Member of the League for many years including her roles as Assistant Provisional Project Chair; JLD Ball Committee, including Advertising Sales Force and Assistant Arrangements Chair; Public Affairs Committee – Issue Researcher, and as Funding Ad Hoc Committee Member.

She has used her JLD training both in her nonprofit board involvement and in her career. She is credited for transforming Southwestern Medical Foundation by forming committees for the board, governance and leading a successful $1 billion capital campaign. Her fundraising placements within JLD prepared her well for this role.  In addition, Kathleen has chaired multiple nonprofit boards and served on numerous committees, again using the skills she learned through JLD training.

“Kathleen has demonstrated her leadership and applied her JLD training personally and professionally for decades and continues to do so. Her work has positively impacted countless lives for the better,” said Connie O’Neill, JLD Sustainer. “Kathleen is not just a board member – she is active, involved, and engaged.  I have served alongside her on several boards and seen firsthand where she brings creativity to solve issues, while also asking the critical questions as a steward of the organization. She has all of the qualities befitting a recipient of this award and is beloved by so many in our community.”

Kathleen became President and CEO of Southwestern Medical Foundation in 2012, making her the tenth President in Southwestern Medical Foundation’s more than 80-year history and the first woman to lead the organization. In 2022, following 10 years of service, she instituted a CEO succession plan to recruit the next Foundation leader and provide sufficient time for an orderly transition.

During her tenure, Kathleen steered the Foundation’s strategic priorities toward long-term sustained impact and grew both assets and endowment over $1 billion. During this time, grant making accelerated such that two-thirds of all Foundation grants were made in the past 10 years. She also established new efforts to engage a broad community of advocates and contributors, while leading the Foundation’s business, investments, and programs to maximize impact in addressing growing community needs.

Prior to that, Kathleen worked in financial services at Citibank as President of Texas and Central US Commercial. She spent 25 preceding years at Bank of America in various roles including Head of Asset Management Risk, President of Southwest US Private Banking, Head of Southwest Corporate Banking, and President of Bank of America Dallas.

Kathleen has been active in the community and state serving on the boards of Southwestern Medical Foundation, Texas A&M Foundation, Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, Texas Higher Education Foundation, Philanthropy Southwest, Visiting Nurses Association of Texas, and LaunchBio. Her prior civic involvement includes service on the boards of the Dallas Regional Chamber, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, The Dallas Opera, The Lamplighter School, Dallas Citizens Council, BioNTX, and the Dallas 2012 Olympic Bid Committee.

She is past Chair of Texas A&M Foundation and The Association of Former Students, and currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board of The Bush School of Government and Public Service.  Kathleen has been recognized by Texas A&M as a Distinguished Alumnus and honored with the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry and Women’s Legacy Awards.

In addition, she has received recognition by the Dallas Business Journal as a ‘Top 25 Industry Leader in ‘Women in Business,’ and the Profiles in Diversity Journal in the 10th Annual ‘Women Worth Watching’ edition.

Kathleen will be recognized at the 2024 Milestones Luncheon on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. For underwriting information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.jldallas.org/milestones-luncheon/

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ABOUT JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS

The Junior League of Dallas cultivates leaders who collectively address the critical needs of the community. Founded in 1922, JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world, as well as the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. Active members range in age from 22 to 49 with approximately 85% percent of women employed outside of the home. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 4,000 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, JLD provides approximately 100,000 hours in volunteer service and more than $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year. For more information, please visit www.jldallas.org or Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

The post JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS NAMES KATHLEEN GIBSON 2024 SUSTAINER OF THE YEAR appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Maddy Madrazo
Chief of Policy & Communications
maddy.madrazo@dallas.gov | (214) 803-6048

DALLAS — Mayor Eric L. Johnson, Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) Superintendent Dr. Stephanie S. Elizalde, and Junior League of Dallas President Christina N. Eubanks on Thursday announced that the 27th Annual Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair will take place on Friday, August 4 at Fair Park inside the Automobile Building and Centennial Hall.

This was the mayor’s first official speaking engagement of his second term as Dallas’ 60th mayor.

The fair — hosted by Mayor Johnson — is a collaborative effort between the City of Dallas, Dallas ISD, nonprofits, corporations, and community volunteers. Each year, it serves more than 10,000 economically disadvantaged students in grade levels pre-K to 12 and their families.

“I am consistently reminded that Dallas is strong because our people are strong,” Mayor Johnson said. “The Dallas community’s support of this event is further proof. Together, we will ensure that Dallas children have the opportunities they need to learn and grow this upcoming school year.” 

“The Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair shows how committed Dallas is to getting all our kids what they need to succeed in school,” Dr. Elizalde said. “Other cities don’t have mayors this dedicated to education, and we couldn’t be more grateful for Mayor Johnson’s partnership.”

For 27 years, the fair has served as a one-stop shop for school supplies, valuable services, and community resources. Pre-registered Dallas students and their families will receive school supplies at the fair and access to immunizations, dental screenings, vision exams, and other health and social services provided by more than 100 vendors.

This year, the Junior League of Dallas will power the event and recruit, train, and support the more than 500 event volunteers.

“We are excited about this renewed partnership with the Office of Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson, as it will allow us to do what we do best – voluntarism, leadership, and community collaboration,” Eubanks said. “Education is one of our core impact areas, and we strongly believe that our children should have all the necessary tools to be successful in school. This annual fair is the perfect way to serve our community and leverage our trained volunteers to alleviate the financial burden of school supplies and other preparations required for students to achieve and excel throughout the school year.” 

Representatives from all of the following companies participated and shared remarks: Amazon, Santander Consumer USA Foundation, City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability, Walmart, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Health and Human Services, Target, Spectrum, and Half Price Books.

Additional event sponsors include Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Children’s Health, CocaCola Southwest Beverages, Davis Vision by MetLife, Energy Transfer, Greater Texas Credit Union, H-E-B, Mattress Firm, Oncor, Ryan Foundation, Sewell Automotive, Southern Methodist University, TXU, and WFAA.

The State Fair of Texas’ Little Big Tex, the Dallas Police Department’s McGruff The Crime Dog, the Dallas Stars’ Victor E. Green, the Dallas Mavericks’ Champ, the City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability’s Water Conservation Dew, and the Half Price Books Bookworm also joined the celebration in addition to students from the East Dallas Boys & Girls Club and Dallas Works, the mayor’s summer youth employment program.

“This family-friendly fair has become a beloved annual tradition here in Dallas before the start of each new school year,” Mayor Johnson said. “I look forward to welcoming more than 10,000 participating Dallas students and their families to Fair Park in August.”

To receive free school supplies, families must register their students online at mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com or at one of three upcoming in-person events. To qualify for free school supplies, students must live in the City of Dallas or attend a Dallas ISD school. For Dallas ISD students, families must provide proof that their student attends a Dallas ISD school by providing a student ID number. For students who live in the City of Dallas but attend other schools, families must provide a valid photo ID, City of Dallas proof of residency (e.g., a utility bill, rent, or mortgage statement), and verify their household income is equal to or less than the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Volunteers and vendors should also register to participate at mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com. For more information about volunteer opportunities, email mbtsf@jldallas.org. For relevant updates between now and August, follow the new Dallas Mayor’s Back To School Fair Facebook page.

The post Mayor Johnson, Dallas ISD, and Junior League of Dallas announce details of 27th Annual Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

It is my deep honor to serve as your President this year. As we look ahead to what’s next, I want to begin with a powerful idea that will guide us throughout the year: Gather.

Inspired by the words of Susan B. Anthony, “Wherever women gather together, failure is impossible”. This theme reminds us that connection is our strength. This year, we will lean into the power of gathering with intentionality, with joy, and with purpose. Not just to do the work, but to lift each other up while we do it.

Before we look forward, let’s take a moment to honor where we’ve been. Under Tandra Allen’s trailblazing leadership, and with the dedication of the 2024-2025 Board, we’ve built momentum that’s real and lasting. Their vision helped clear new paths, and their legacy is the strong foundation on which we now stand. Please join me in thanking Tandra and the entire outgoing Board for the courage, care, and commitment they brought to every step of this journey.

Now, we carry that torch forward – together.

Throughout 2025-2026, your Board and Leadership Council are focused on bringing our strategic plan to life in ways that feel real, relevant, and energizing. We’re leaning into all three pillars:

• Reviving the member experience
• Redefining our impact
• Reimagining training

These priorities reflect not only the direction of our organization, but the voices of our members and the evolving needs of our city.

That means reviving the member experience by creating real connection across our membership so that every woman has a friend in the Junior League of Dallas. It means clearer, more consistent communication with a little more personality and warmth. It means redefining our impact by broadening our base of donors and supporters, so that we can meet the evolving needs of the Dallas community with confidence and purpose. And it means reimagining training; offering new, innovative opportunities for members to grow in ways that align with their own interests and aspirations.

Yes, this is ambitious. But so are we.

And through it all, I want you to feel this at your core: you belong here.

Whether you’re new to the League or decades in, your presence matters. Your ideas matter. And when we gather with purpose, our collective power is unstoppable.

You’ll see that same spirit reflected in our leadership this year. We are committed to transparency, to accessibility, and, yes, a little fun along the way. We take the mission seriously, but we try not to take ourselves too seriously. 

So, as we begin this new League year, I invite you to gather: with us, with each other, and with hearts wide open. There is strength in this circle. Let’s use it well.

Here’s to what’s next,

Dr. Lindsay Davis
2025 – 2026 Junior League of Dallas President

The post 2025 – 2026 President’s Note appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

Junior League of Dallas (JLD) hosted its annual Milestones Luncheon, presented by the Kohl Foundation, on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. This year’s featured speaker was award-winning actor and New York Times bestselling author Rob Lowe. During the luncheon, JLD honored Pam Busbee with the 2023 Sustainer of the Year award.

The morning kicked off with a VIP reception, where Lowe surprised attendees with funny, candid remarks, which had attendees buzzing with excitement. He referenced how nice everyone looked and commented that he loves spring events because everyone wears such beautiful colors after Easter. He also noted that his mother was a member of the Junior League in Ohio and fondly recalled her stories of volunteer service.

Following the VIP and general receptions, guests made their way into the beautifully decorated Trinity Ballroom. Milestones Luncheon Emcee Shelly Slater welcomed guests and invited The Reverend Dr. Christopher D. Girata, Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, to give the invocation. Slater then welcomed Milestones Luncheon Co-chairs Heather McNamara and Elizabeth Gambrell to the stage. The Chairs welcomed guests and recognized the companies, foundations, and individuals who have continued to support the League throughout the years, along with everyone who made this year’s Luncheon possible, including: Kohl Foundation, presenting sponsor; Sewell Automotive Companies, speaker sponsor; Origin Bank, VIP reception sponsor; and Central Market, Sustainer of the Year Sponsor. Additionally, they acknowledged League donors and members and provided special thanks to Shelly for sharing her talents as this year’s Luncheon emcee.

The Chairs then highlighted the four amazing raffle packages, of which 100 percent of raffle sales directly benefit the Junior League of Dallas’s community programs. This year’s raffle items included: an exclusive wine tasting for 10 people with a leading sommelier from 55 Seventy Wine Cellar & Tasting Room, a $5,000 PlainsCapital Debit Card, a $5,000 Central Market Gift Card, and a diamond bracelet from Bachendorf’s. The raffle ended up selling out.  

The audience also learned that at least one person at each table had a chance to “win” the beautiful flower arrangement on each table, graciously donated by McShan Florist. The individual at each table whose birthday was closest to Rob Lowe’s birthday, which is March 17, was able to take the arrangement home.

Monica Christopher (L) & Emily Somerville-Cabrera (R) with Pam Busbee, Sustainer of the Year Award Winner

Slater returned to the podium and thanked Gambrell and McNamara for their dedication to the League and welcomed Junior League of Dallas President Emily Somerville-Cabrera and Junior League of Dallas Sustainer President, Monica Christopher, to the stage to present the Sustainer of the Year award to Pam Busbee. Christopher highlighted the impact of volunteers like Pam Busbee within our community. She introduced a video featuring League Sustaining members, Alicia Frye, CEO of Jonathan’s Place, and Angela Shoup, executive director of Callier Center for Communication Disorders, sharing personal reflections of Pam and her work in the community (including the fact that she has completed an impressive 22 marathons).  Somerville-Cabrera and Christopher then presented Busbee with the 2023 Sustainer of the Year award for making great strides within the community and being widely recognized for what it truly means to be a leader.

Somerville-Cabrera then spoke on JLD’s legacy of impact in the Dallas community and the strategic changes the League embraced this year as it looks forward to a second century of service. Somerville-Cabrera shared how the League is making strategic changes to its Community Program and expanding its Signature Projects with new programs, including Mayor’s Back to School Fair and a new Park Improvement Project. Somerville-Cabrera thanked League members for their contributions and service, then paid homage to the new class of Sustaining members, called Legacy Leaders, who have been in the League for more than 50 years. 

Emily Somerville-Cabrera, JLD President

“For 101 years, our organization has brought together women in Dallas to serve the most critical needs in our community, while at the same time creating a space for these women to grow and develop personally and professionally,” said Somerville-Cabrera. “When the League was founded in 1922, some women had just been granted the right to vote and most women seldom had a voice beyond their own homes.  Fortunately, much has changed since then, but what has not changed is the League’s steadfast commitment to the development of women.  Today, that means that each year, more than 4,000 women deploy skills they learned in the League to create positive change in our community.”

Rob Lowe and Shelly Slater

While guests enjoyed the meal, Slater kicked off the conversation with featured speaker Rob Lowe with a lightning round of questions. Lowe continued to entertain the audience with candid stories about long-time friend Gwyneth Paltrow and his career-changing experience on Saturday Night Live. He also shared how meaningful it is to work on his new Netflix series Unstable alongside his youngest son. Lowe also spoke about his journey navigating 33 years of sobriety and the secret to maintaining a healthy and happy marriage with his wife of 32 years, Sheryl Lowe. Slater closed out the conversation by asking Lowe about his motivation for becoming the first ever male spokesperson for breast cancer awareness, to which he replied that his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all passed away from breast cancer. Lowe was also honored to be the first male featured speaker at a Milestones Luncheon. 

ABOUT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS

The Junior League of Dallas cultivates leaders who collectively address the critical needs of the community. Founded in 1922, JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world, as well as the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. Active members range in age from 22 to 49 with approximately 85% percent of women employed outside of the home. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 4,000 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, JLD provides approximately 100,000 hours in volunteer service and more than $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year. For more information, please visit www.jldallas.org or Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 

The post JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS WELCOMED AWARD-WINNING ACTOR AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ROB LOWE TO ITS ANNUAL MILESTONES LUNCHEON APRIL 14 appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

“JLD is a part of the fabric of Booker T. Washington.” 

Sharon Cornell, Booker T. Washington

In 2022, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts commemorated the opening of its historic building 100 years ago. Booker T. Washington is one of the Junior League of Dallas’s oldest agency partners with volunteers supporting the staff and students for over 30 years. 

The history of Booker T. Washington is a “tale of two schools.” 

The school opened as the first African American high school in Dallas and was named after the legendary education pioneer. Before integration, the school was the first to have a football game broadcast live on the radio and the first on television, and the first to play football under Friday night lights. As fate would have it, the Booker T. Bulldogs were the last Dallas team to take the State football championship until South Oak Cliff won the title in 2022. 

Now, the school is one of the top eight arts magnet schools in the country offering five areas of concentration, called conservatories, in academics, dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. The school attracts approximately 950 students in grades 9 – 12 from across the metropolitan area.

The high school opened 100 years ago to the day Sunday, October 30, 2022 and marked the occasion with a celebration. As part of the celebration, 100-year-old alumna and member of the 1939 graduating class, Ruth Price-Sanders joined the iconic singer-songwriter and notable alumna Erykah Badu in burying a time capsule to be opened another 100 years from now. The school’s name was also entered into the Library of Congress.

“The Congressional Record is the highest achievement that the school can receive,” said Sharon Cornell, Public Relations Specialist for Booker T. Washington and alumna. “This school has a really long history,” said Cornell. “My grandfather started his teaching career here in the social studies department, and he became a principal in the district, serving Dallas ISD for 40 years.”

Cornell’s great uncle, L.V. Williams, also attended the school when it was still the only African American high school in Dallas. He graduated and was the first student to graduate from the school and return as principal in 1936. Sharon attended the Dance Department, now called the Dance Conservatory. Sharon’s three children and two step-children also graduated from the school. 

Junior League of Dallas began our relationship with Booker T. Washington in the early ‘80s with a grant that started the Senior Showcase, now called the College Showcase, where seniors perform or present their portfolio to college representatives traveling to Dallas. 

“The College Showcase would not be possible without the help of Junior League of Dallas and that help changes lives,” says Cornell. “A lot of our students can’t go to two and three and four universities or conservatories to visit, so bringing the college reps to the school helps to level the playing field for students.” 

Today, League members support the College Showcase by staffing the box office, helping students backstage, or supervising classrooms while teachers step away to assist seniors performing in the showcase. 

“It’s always been set up that way because League members are the smartest women ever, and they make sure everything runs smoothly,” says Cornell, “We just love them! There would not be a College Showcase without the Junior League of Dallas.”

“Current students and their parents are not allowed to do the things that a Junior League of Dallas volunteer can do because our volunteers are impartial,” says Kelly Tornow, Junior League of Dallas Project Chair for Booker T. Washington, who mentioned parents and students can’t perform essential tasks like handling money because of their affiliation with the school. “Without our volunteers, the teachers would have to do those tasks.” 

Tornow also says that staff at the school appreciate the support and organizational skills of League volunteers. Our volunteers create and maintain spreadsheets with all the information for students going through auditions. At its peak in 2017, colleges awarded over $67 million in scholarships to graduates through College Showcase, so the time and effort of our volunteers have a demonstrable impact.

“Every year, a placement with Booker T. Washington is one of the most competitive in the League,” says Tornow, “Many of our volunteers come back year after year because they love to work with Booker T. Washington.” 

“Junior League of Dallas adds so much to the school, “ says Cornell. “You are part of the fabric of the school.” 

Katelyn Morris
Member at Large
Brand Strategy Committee
2022 – 2023

The post Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts Celebrates its Centennial appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

DALLAS – May 10, 2023 – The Junior League of Dallas (JLD), City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, Friends of Juanita Craft Civil Rights House & Museum, and other community partners are pleased to announce the completed restoration and rehabilitation of the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House, honoring the legacy of the civil rights leader. Located in the Wheatley Place Historic District near Fair Park, the historic home will be open for public tours by appointment only beginning in late May 2023.

As a civil rights leader and politician, Juanita J. Craft devoted her life to civil rights. From 1950 until her death in 1985, her home served as command center for pivotal civil rights movements in Dallas, across the state, and beyond. Upon her death, Ms. Craft willed her home to the City of Dallas for civic use as a place where people of all backgrounds could visit and learn how to become a change-maker.  The home is designated as a Dallas City Landmark Commission site, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a Texas Historic Landmark property. 

“Dallas is a better city because of Juanita J. Craft’s extraordinary contributions to racial and social justice,” Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson said. “Ms. Craft was a remarkable civil rights icon, and it is an honor to reopen her historic home to the public. Dallas residents now and for generations to come will benefit from this restoration project. Thank you to our partners — including the Junior League of Dallas and the Friends of Juanita Craft Civil Rights House — for preserving Ms. Craft’s legacy.”

Since 1994, Ms. Craft’s home has operated as a public historical site. In 2018, the City of Dallas was in the process of turning the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House into an educational museum, but efforts came to a halt when a sprinkler pipe burst in the attic and flooded the home. In 2020, JLD announced that its centennial anniversary project would be a partnership with the City of Dallas to rehabilitate the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House.

JLD and its partners raised more than $1.4 million to complete the much-needed renovations to reopen the house to the public. JLD’s centennial gift covered both restoration costs and new educational opportunities for Dallas ISD students, including an educational coloring book and school curriculum showcasing Ms. Craft’s legacy. 

“Ms. Craft’s vision and legacy demonstrates how the passion of one woman can reshape the heart of our city. The women of Junior League of Dallas continue to find inspiration in her tireless dedication to making Dallas an inclusive city for every one of its residents,” said JLD President Emily Somerville-Cabrera. “We are so proud of the partnerships with the City of Dallas and Friends of Juanita Craft to restore her and establish Ms. Craft’s home as a center of learning. The passion and partnerships that made this project possible will carry Ms. Craft’s legacy forward for years to come and bolster Junior League’s mission of developing the potential of women, improving the community, and supporting a commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Candace Thompson, director of the Friends of Juanita Craft Civil Rights House & Museum said, “The reopening of Ms. Craft’s home as a Civil Rights Museum is a jewel for this city.  We are grateful to the many partners and collaborators who have made this possible and supported us to the finish line of preparing the house to be operational. We look forward to sustaining this house with viable programming inspiring new community leaders for positive change and ultimately establishing the house as a stop on the Civil Rights Trail. We exist to make Ms. Craft’s request a reality when she spoke these words, ‘It is my hope that after I am gone, people of all backgrounds will visit my house and come to understand that individuals can make a difference, and to appreciate the importance of service to the community and nation…you don’t have to be rich to make an impact, but you have to work and to care.’”

Donors who contributed $10,000 and above toward the preservation and expansion of Juanita J. Craft’s human and civil rights legacy include: Anonymous; The Addy Foundation; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Alpha Xi Omega Chapter; Children’s Health; Chrest Foundation; City of Dallas; Communities Foundation of Texas; The Constantin Foundation; Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; The Eugene McDermott Foundation; The Florence Foundation; The Friends of Juanita Craft Civil Rights House Museum; The Garden Club Committee of the Junior League of Dallas; Hillcrest Foundation Bank of America, N.A., Trustee; Hoblitzelle Foundation; Junior League of Dallas, Inc.; Lou Anne King Jensen and Jeff Jensen; Make It Count Family Foundation; North Texas Cluster of The Links, Incorporated – Dallas (TX) Chapter, Fort Worth (TX) Chapter, Greater Denton County (TX) Chapter, Mid-Cities (TX) Chapter, Plano North-Metroplex (TX) Chapter, Trinity (TX) Chapter; Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee; State Fair of Texas; and The Summerlee Foundation. 

In addition, the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House & Memorial Garden was supported in part through an African American Civil Rights grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.  

Beginning late May 2023, the home will be available for the public to tour by appointment only.  To schedule a tour or for more information, please call the city of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs at 214.670.3687 or visit http://www.juanitacrafthouse.org/. 

ABOUT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS

The Junior League of Dallas cultivates leaders who collectively address the critical needs of the community. Founded in 1922, JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world, as well as the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. Active members range in age from 22 to 49 with approximately 85% percent of women employed outside of the home. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 4,000 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, JLD provides approximately 100,000 hours in volunteer service and more than $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year. For more information, please visit www.jldallas.org or Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 

ABOUT FRIENDS OF JUANITA CRAFT CIVIL RIGHTS HOUSE & MUSEUM

The mission of the Friends of Juanita Craft Civil Rights House is to inspire bold civic engagement globally by preserving and amplifying her life and legacy of human rights through transformational education.  We, The Friends collaborated with the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture (OAC), the Junior League of Dallas (JLD), to restore Ms. Craft’s home with the goal of achieving museum accreditation and getting her home registered on the Civil Rights Trail for the state of Texas.

The house stands as a historic landmark where significant people and events important to the collective fabric of the Civil Rights Movement were discussed, hosted, and launched.  As a woman of ordinary means who made an extraordinary contribution to racial and social justice, Mrs. Craft’s story and legacy has yet to be fully realized.  Through the restoration of her home, her story will be curated and interpreted in a public national museum setting for visitors near and far.

ABOUT CITY OF DALLAS OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE AND DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY

The City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture (OAC), a division of the City Manager’s Office, fosters support, partnerships, and opportunities for Dallas residents, visitors, artists, and arts and cultural organizations. 

Dallas Public Library strengthens communities by connecting people, inspiring curiosity, advancing lives and working for racial equity. The library houses the Juanita Craft Collection, which is the largest repository of Mrs. Craft’s personal effects, civil rights and N.A.A.C.P. items, as well as papers related to her work as a member of the Dallas City Council. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Olivia Rathle | Brynn Bagot Public Relations 251.421.4532 | olivia@brynnbagot.com

Shawn Williams | Allyn Media 214.923.5013 | shawn@allynmedia.com 

The post RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC JUANITA J. CRAFT CIVIL RIGHTS HOUSE IS COMPLETE AND WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR TOURS IN MAY 2023 appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

DALLAS – April 28, 2023 – The Junior League of Dallas (JLD) recently announced a new partnership with the Office of Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson to provide volunteer training and overall planning support for the 27th Annual Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair, which will be held Friday, August 4, 2023, at Fair Park. Hosted by Mayor Johnson, this signature event is a collaborative partnership between his office, the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD), nonprofits, corporations, and community volunteers. Each year, over 10,000 Dallas students in grades Pre-K to 12 and their families are provided essential school supplies, valuable services, and resources. 

“The goal of the Mayor’s Back to School Fair is to help alleviate the financial pressures Dallas families encounter by ensuring the cost of school supplies is not one of them,” Mayor Johnson said. “This annual event has equipped thousands of kids with the materials and services they need to succeed during the new school year, including school supplies, immunizations, eye exams, haircuts, and more. Building for the future of Dallas begins with preparing our kids to return to the classroom.”

This year, Junior League of Dallas will power the event, overseeing the 300-400 event volunteers from training to placement, as well as creating a community outreach plan and improving the overall participant experience. 

“We are excited about this new partnership with the Office of Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson, as it will allow us to do what we do best – provide trained volunteers to serve within our community,” Junior League of Dallas President Emily Somerville-Cabrera said. “Further, education is one of our key issue areas, and we strongly believe that our children deserve to be set up for academic success. This annual fair provides us a perfect way to use our manpower and volunteer training experience to help families who can’t afford the added expense of school supplies and other preparations required for students to achieve and excel throughout the school year.”

For more information about the Dallas Mayor’s Back to School Fair, please visit mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com. If you have questions about volunteer opportunities, please contact us at mbtsf@jldallas.org.

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ABOUT JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS

The Junior League of Dallas cultivates leaders who collectively address the critical needs of the community. Founded in 1922, JLD is one of the largest Junior Leagues in the world, as well as the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. Active members range in age from 22 to 49 with approximately 85% percent of women employed outside of the home. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 4,000 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, JLD provides approximately 100,000 hours in volunteer service and more than $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year. For more information, please visit www.jldallas.org or Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 

CONTACT:

Olivia Rathle

Brynn Bagot Public Relations

(251) 421-4532 or olivia@brynnbagot.com

The post JUNIOR LEAGUE OF DALLAS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DALLAS MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR THE 27th ANNUAL DALLAS MAYOR’S BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR AUG. 4, 2023, AT FAIR PARK appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.