Dallas Women’s Foundation Reaches $30 Million Granting Milestone In First 30 Years

Award-winning actress, producer, designer, philanthropist and ninth generation Texan Eva Longoria was the keynote speaker at Dallas Women’s Foundation’s 30th Annual Luncheon, on Friday, Oct. 30th at The Hilton Anatole. The organization announced it has granted $30 million in 30 years, driving research, programming, collaboration and innovation in North Texas to support women and girls. The sold-out luncheon, with 1,800 attendees, raised more than $1.2 million.

Keith Banks, President U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management; Eva Longoria and Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Dallas Women's Foundation President and CEO

The luncheon celebrated 30 years of the Foundation’s work to advance positive social and economic change for women and girls in North Texas.

 

“I’m excited to join Dallas Women’s Foundation as they lead the fight for women’s issues in Dallas and in my home state of Texas,” said Longoria. “Nothing is more impactful to a community than investment in women. When you improve the lives of women, that affects their families, and ultimately changes our communities. With men and women working together, we can, and we will, improve the lives of women and girls.”

Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Nancy Ann Hunt

A stalwart supporter of women and diversity, Eva Longoria is the founder of “The Eva Longoria Foundation,” which is dedicated to helping Latinas build better futures for themselves through education and entrepreneurship. Named “Philanthropist of the Year” by The Hollywood Reporter and honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Variety’s annual Power of Women Luncheon, Longoria was also selected as commissioner for the National Museum of the American Latino Commission.

Eva Longoria speaking at the Dallas Women's  Foundation 30th Annual Luncheon

Recently, Longoria joined Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn in the three-part PBS series, “A Path Appears,” which exposes the effects of gender inequality and poverty in Haiti, Kenya, Colombia and across the U.S. Longoria is also a Golden Globe-nominated, Screen Actors Guild Award- and ALMA Award-winning actress, who will star in and executive produce the highly anticipated series, “Telenovela,” premiering this fall on NBC.

The 30th Annual Luncheon co-chairs Jane and Michael Hurst; Stacey and John Relton; and Paula and Ron Parker

The 30th Annual Luncheon was led by a trifecta of couples, co-chairs Jane and Michael Hurst; Paula and Ron Parker; and Stacey and John Relton.

 

“Eva’s life’s work is a shining example of the generosity, grit and determination that is innate in all Texans – especially Texan women,” said Roslyn Dawson Thompson. “We know that when women are strong and secure, so are their families and their communities.”