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.

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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.

Our organization is dedicated to the mission of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. It begins with education on the key issues impacting our city and how we can make a difference. The collective power of League-trained volunteers strengthens Dallas in immeasurable ways.

This year, our theme is “Trailblaze,” reminding us that we must build on our storied legacy and raise the next generation of leaders. A single spark of passion in each heart can propel the League forward, inspiring us to work tirelessly for the betterment of our community. With a grateful appreciation for our history and a spirit of innovation, this year, we will accelerate our journey by embracing our collective strengths and unique abilities.

Our strategic initiatives continue to guide us to redefine our impact, reimagine training, and revive the member experience. Our goals are lofty as we look forward to these efforts:

• Fast-Track Leadership Training Pathways – offer tailored educational opportunities that increase our member’s exposure to the vital issues facing our community and provide additional tactical tools to be impactful community leaders.
• Membership Growth Initiatives – expand our new member efforts and enhance programming to engage members at every stage of their League journey.
• Community Collaboration – strengthen and create meaningful connections with community partners across established and emerging efforts.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Strategic Focus – broaden our DEIB strategic plan to provide training and education for members, while also forging partnerships across Dallas.

With a commitment to serving with passion and purpose, I am excited to blaze the trail ahead as this year’s President. I invite each member to consider how you can be part of this year’s effort to shape a brighter future for our community – now and for generations to come.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the League. Here’s to a trailblazing year!

With gratitude,

Tandra Allen
2024 – 2025 Junior League of Dallas President

The post 2024 – 2025 President’s Note appeared first on Junior League of Dallas.

CONTACT:

Olivia Rathle

Brynn Bagot Public Relations

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

DALLAS – April 10, 2023 – Junior League of Dallas (JLD) and Presenting Sponsor, The Ryan Foundation, awarded $40,000 in collegiate scholarships to 10 college-bound women from Dallas ISD during the 10th annual Women LEAD Speech Competition and Awards Ceremony held at JLD Headquarters on Wednesday, March 29. The top 10 ranked finalists were selected from a highly competitive set of 20 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.

“We know each of these finalists worked incredibly hard on their applications and speeches, and we are so happy to recognize their individual efforts and talents,” said JLD President Emily Somerville-Cabrera. “Throughout this process, we have been incredibly honored to work with these impressive young ladies and hope these scholarships will help them further their education and become future leaders in their careers and communities. We are excited to see their success in the coming years as they continue their journeys in college and beyond.”

In October, Women LEAD Chair Ashley Early and Signature Projects Vice President Megan LaDriere White 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 Wednesday evening in front of this year’s judges including: JLD President
Emily Somerville-Cabrera; Amy Kendrick Lee of Ryan and The Ryan Foundation; and Dallas County Promise’s Karla Garcia. Former TV reporter and JLD Sustainer Calvert Collins emceed the event.

In the oratory competition, the students were given this prompt: Across the world and at home, women have been making great strides in their respective fields. Actress Marsai Martin, known for her role in “Black-ish” and being the youngest executive producer, and Karla Garcia, the youngest member and first Latina woman elected to the Dallas ISD School Board, are two examples of female leaders. These women possess unique skills and abilities that make them great leaders. Knowing that, in your opinion, what makes someone a strong leader? What leadership qualities would you like to demonstrate in your life?

In response, the audience and judges heard inspirational speeches from each of the top 10 finalists, including: Leila Aguilar, Zoe Esquivel, Mahtab Fedaye, Amanda Fumero, Cinderella Hall, Claudia Herrera, Sorel Mouity Ibiatsi, Olga Ramirez, Sofia Vazquez, and Yocelin Zapata. Additionally, the students spoke about their passions and how receiving a Women LEAD scholarship will help them achieve their goals, which included becoming a doctor, a pediatric physical therapist, a nurse, an immigration advocate, and more. These 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 Olga Ramirez. Second place winner Sofia Vazquez received a $10,000 scholarship; third place winner Leila Aguilar received a $5,000 scholarship; fourth place winner Zoe Esquivel received a $3,000 scholarship; and fifth place winner Claudia Herrera received a $2,000 scholarship. Honorable mention winners each received a $1,000 scholarship.

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
4,300 women each year through more than 17,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training.
Uniquely member-run, JLD provides over 100,000 hours in volunteer service and approximately $1 million
in funding to area nonprofits each year. For more information, please visit www.jldallas.org or Facebook,
Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

ABOUT THE RYAN FOUNDATION
Formed in 2011 with a charter to help organizations that address health, poverty and education, The Ryan
Foundation supports non-profit organizations across the United States. Founded by Ryan, the world’s largest
firm dedicated exclusively to business tax services and software solutions, The Ryan Foundation is based on
one of Ryan’s five values, “Generosity Matters – I share success with colleagues, clients and the
community.”

ABOUT RYAN
Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest Firm in the world dedicated
exclusively to business taxes. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides an integrated
suite of federal, state, local, and international tax services on a multijurisdictional basis, including tax
recovery, consulting, advocacy, compliance, and technology services. Ryan is a 10-time recipient of the
International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its
commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is
widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan’s multidisciplinary team of more
than 4,100 professionals and associates serves over 21,000 clients in more than 60 countries, including many
of the world’s most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found
at ryan.com. “Ryan” and “Firm” refer to the global organizational network and may refer to one or more of
the member firms of Ryan International, each of which is a separate legal entity.

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

CONTACT:

Olivia Rathle

Brynn Bagot Public Relations

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

DALLAS – October 20, 2022 – Junior League of Dallas (JLD) has partnered with the State Fair of Texas and Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) to print and distribute a commemorative Juanita J. Craft coloring book to more than 10,600 fourth-grade students across 153 of Dallas ISD’s elementary campuses as part of their Texas History curriculum. The coloring book is being distributed as a special lesson plan on the pivotal role Juanita J. Craft played in shaping the history of civil rights in the state of Texas and beyond — including the desegregation of the State Fair of Texas and her work to integrate the Dallas ISD.

Juanita Craft was a prominent civil rights activist and the second Black woman elected to the Dallas City Council. She built a legacy of fighting against racial discrimination and segregation in Dallas and across the country. In 1955, Ms. Craft organized a protest against the State Fair of Texas’ segregationist policies. She continued to organize a protest every year until the State Fair was finally integrated in 1967 as a result of her dedication. To honor Ms. Craft’s 12-year fight for desegregation, the State Fair of Texas partnered with JLD to support the coloring book project and sponsor the printing.  

Illustrated by Dallas-based contemporary painter and educator Desireé Vaniecia and commissioned by the Junior League of Dallas, the coloring book ensures that this generation of students learns the important story of Juanita J. Craft, her contributions to Dallas, and her way of creating positive change in her community. The book ends with a call for students to consider how they can effect positive change in their own homes and schools.

“JLD is committed to supporting education and fostering diversity and inclusion across our areas of impact in the Dallas community. Dallas ISD and the State Fair of Texas have been enthusiastic partners who are eager to share this impactful learning tool with teachers and students as they visit the State Fair with their friends and families. This is an exciting moment that builds on the momentum of our Centennial Project and commitment to sharing Ms. Crafts’ legacy with the entire Dallas Community,” said JLD President Emily Somerville-Cabrera.

In September 2020, following meetings with the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and the State Fair of Texas, the Junior League of Dallas announced the rehabilitation of the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House as its Centennial Anniversary Project. In conjunction with the city of Dallas, more than $1.4 million has been raised for its rehabilitation and future educational programming. The home is expected to reopen to the public in spring 2023 and will serve as a museum and a place for all to learn about Ms. Craft’s legacy in Dallas’ history and civil rights. 

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 4,500 women each year through more than 26,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, JLD provides over 130,000 hours in volunteer service and approximately $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 142,000 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.

ABOUT THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with proceeds helping to preserve and improve our home, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations. The 2022 exposition runs September 30 through October 23 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information.

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