Welcome from the President and Centennial Co-chairs

Welcome from the President

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I welcome you to the Junior League of Dallas’ Centennial Gala! For 100 years, the JLD has striven to be the premier organization to connect and develop women to be change agents in the Dallas community.

In 1922, 40 women came together to give their time, talent and energy to positively impact the lives of Dallas’ growing population. Initially supporting hospital patients and individuals with disabilities, the group leveraged the power of women as trained volunteers, which gave rise to the Junior League of Dallas. Just a few years after the League began its work in Dallas, members shifted their focus and immediately responded to combat the economic crisis and work with the unemployed during the Great Depression. And in the 1940s, members of the JLD answered the call by serving in war-related projects in addition to their regular service. Despite the challenging historic events occurring through the 1930s and 1940s, the JLD continued to grow reaching 510 members entering into the 1950s.

Today, the JLD has grown to more than 4,400 members and continues to transform Dallas by training members for effective participation in the community and through its dedication to the belief that volunteer service is an essential part of responsible citizenship. As we emerge from recent challenging historic events, the Junior League of Dallas remains a catalyst for positive change, giving women from diverse backgrounds and perspectives unique opportunities to grow, learn and serve. And after our members complete their years of Active service, the League’s training propels them to continue their impact in the community by serving in nonprofit and board leadership roles, leading within corporate organizations, holding political offices and creating nonprofits themselves.

From its inception until now, the JLD has given more than $40 million to local nonprofit agencies and has provided more than nine million volunteer hours to promote quality health services, awareness and prevention; strengthen the security and stability of individuals and families; and promote excellence in education and inspiring creativity.

To our donors, members and friends, we are truly grateful to you for believing in the transformative power of our mission and supporting this legacy of leadership that has been devoted to Dallas for a century. Thank you for celebrating this milestone evening with us!

Yours in service, Christa Sanford President 2021 – 2022

We are thankful for the women of the Junior League of Dallas for a century of service and leadership in our community.

Welcome from Centennial Co-chairs Andrea Cheek and Margo Goodwin

We are honored and privileged to welcome you to the Junior League of Dallas Centennial Gala! Tonight, we applaud and recognize all of you who have played such an important role in the Junior League of Dallas’ storied 100-year history. We especially want to thank our generous donors who have made this year’s Centennial celebration possible by donating to our community service fund, the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House, our Hall of State exhibit and the Centennial Endowment Foundation. Please take note of our many special thanks donors too, who’ve worked hard in making tonight and all our events this year so beautiful.

In 2018, the Centennial Endowment Foundation was established to strengthen the League’s volunteer training and support services with a generous $5 million lead gift and $5 million matching gift from former JLD President Lyda Hill.

In 2019 we selected our Centennial project, joining key organizations and community leaders to rehabilitate the home of Civil Rights Leader Juanita J. Craft. We’re especially proud that this will soon be a place for all to learn about her place in Dallas’ history and civil rights.

This year, with help from our newly archived history, we shared our remarkable story with more than 100,000 Texas State Fair visitors over 24 days at our Hall of State exhibit. In May, we’ll welcome 500 League members from across the U.S. and Canada at the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) Conference.

Perhaps the thing we will most remember from this Centennial journey is how League members – across every generation – came together to honor our history and create an important foundation for our future. These connections are a true testament to our League’s “Legacy of Leadership and Devotion to Dallas.”

It has been our great privilege to help honor the League’s first 100 years and we eagerly look forward to our next 100.

Sincerely,

Andrea Cheek & Margo Goodwin

Junior League of Dallas Centennial Co-chairs