Texas Women’s Foundation Awards More Than $820,000 to support women and families across North Texas

Through its annual Community Grants Cycle, Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) has distributed $822,160 to 23 nonprofits improving the lives of more than 20,000 women, girls and families in North Texas. Among the grants, TXWF Board Alumnae awarded the Virginia B. Whitehill Board Alumnae Grant to Bonton Farms in the amount of $40,000; and TXWF’s Nineteen network provided a grant of $40,000 to Nexus Family Recovery Center.

TXWF Grantees

Grant recipients were recognized at a special reception on September 26 at Texas Women’s Foundation, which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year. This reception kicked off a year-long tribute honoring the rich history of TXWF’s founders and the four decades of impact the organization has made on the lives of women and girls across the state.

Karen Hughes White, Texas Women’s Foundation president and CEO, said, “These incredible nonprofit organizations are transforming public education, providing critical healthcare access and helping fill the increasing gap in basic needs such as food and housing. We are so thankful to our donors and philanthropic partners who make this support possible, allowing TXWF to remove barriers to women’s economic security, stability and success as we work to build a strong and vibrant Texas for all. 

Collin County: 

Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation Inc. – Economic Security 

The Samaritan Inn – Childcare

Dallas County:

Abide Women’s Health Services – Maternal Health 

After8toeducate – Maternal Health 

Bonton Farms – Economic Security

Brother Bill’s Helping Hand  – Workforce

Buckner Children and Family Services, Inc. – Workforce 

Dallas Leadership Foundation – Leadership 

Gateway of Grace – Economic Security 

Interfaith Family Services – Housing 

Junior Players  – Leadership Development 

LBU Community Clinic – Maternal Health 

Methodist Health System Foundation – Workforce 

Nexus Family Recovery Center – Women’s Health 

Poetic – Economic Security

Texas Woman’s University Foundation – Women’s Health  

Viola’s House – Housing 

Vogel Alcove – Child Care 

Young Women’s Preparatory Network – Balch Springs – Education

Denton County: 

Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas Inc.  – Mental Health 

HSNT/Health Services of North Texas – Women’s Health

Ellis County:

The Heights Ellis County Family Resources Inc. – Mental Health

Tarrant County: 

Camp Fire First Texas – Workforce 

To learn more about Texas Women’s Foundation’s grants and for a complete grantee list, visit txwf.org/grants.

Texas Women’s Foundation Announces Award-Winning Actress Christine Baranski as Keynote Speaker for 40th Annual Luncheon on November 14

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) announces Christine Baranski, an Emmy, two-time Tony, Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk and American Comedy Award winner, as its featured speaker at its “Ruby Anniversary Luncheon” on Friday, November 14, 2025, (11:30-1:00 p.m.) at the Omni Dallas Hotel. She is best known for her performances in The Good Wife, The Good Fight, The Big Bang Theory, Mamma Mia, The Gilded Age and multiple theater roles. 

TXWF Board Chair Cris Zertuche Wong said, “Christine Baranski’s platform aligns perfectly with Texas Women’s Foundation, and we are excited to welcome her to Dallas. Her unapologetic advocacy for female empowerment and her drive for equal educational opportunities, equal pay and equal rights paint a transformative portrait of what it means to advocate for others.” 

 

To celebrate TXWF’s 40-year legacy of impact, this year’s Event Co-Chairs are leaders who represent the Foundation’s four decades: Gail Griswold and Brenda Jackson (1980s), Laura Estrada (1990s), Helen Frank (2000s), and Shonn Brown (2020s).

 

The Foundation’s 11 living Founders will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the Ruby Anniversary Luncheon: 

·      Susan Shamburger Bagwell

·      The Honorable Harryette Ehrhardt

·      Catalina E. Garcia, M.D.

·      Frances Griffin-Brown

·      Helen LaKelly Hunt

·      The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison

·      Madeline Mandell

·      Patricia Meadows

·      Gwendolyn Oliver

·      CoYoTe PheoNix

·      Rebecca R. Sykes

For those interested in supporting this year’s “Ruby Anniversary Luncheon,” as a partner or patron, please contact Joy Busch or Anne Leary at luncheon@txwf.org. Visit https://txwf.org/join-us/events/ for more details.

Texas Women’s Foundation Empowers Women & Girls at #BESTSELF and the Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration

As part of its ongoing investment in lifecycle leadership development for women and girls, Texas Women’s Foundation hosted a powerful day of leadership, learning and inspiration on May 8th at the Omni Dallas Hotel. From thought-provoking conversations to unforgettable moments honoring trailblazing women and rising young leaders, the day helped support the Foundation’s mission of building #StrongWomenBetterTexas

The day began with #BESTSELF, where nearly 200 students who came together for engaging workshops focused on making smart, informed decisions, navigating the physical and emotional changes of adolescence, and harnessing the power of their voices to create meaningful change.

Karen Hughes White, Cris Zertuche Wong, Carrie Freeman Parsons

In the afternoon, TXWF hosted its annual Leadership Forum – a dynamic masterclass featuring microlearning sessions with the recipients of the 2025 Maura and Young Leader Awards. Author, speaker and 2025 Maura Award recipient Anne Chow kicked things off with a Ted Talk-style “ANNE Talk,” sharing insights from her book Lead Bigger. TXWF Board Director Deborah Hunter Johnson led a ”POWER Panel” discussion on advancing women and girls in STEM with 2025 Maura awardees Dr. Carine Feyten, Dr. Nuripama “Rupa” DeSilva, and Jennifer Bartkowski. Afterward, the crowd was treated to exciting “5 in 5” interviews in which two young students from Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, a Young Women’s Preparatory Network School, asked five “rapid-fire questions in five minutes of TXWF’s 2025 Young Leader awardees Haleigh Jones and Cristal Retana Lule. The Forum wrapped up with some “REAL Talk” between Anne Chow and NBC5 Anchor Deborah Ferguson. 

Theresa Flores, Liz Cedillo-Pereira, Linda Valdez Thompson

At the Celebration Dinner following the Forum, event co-chairs Debbie Dennis, Chief Customer Officer and SVP Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at Oncor Electric Delivery, and Brooke Hopkins, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, welcomed attendees and thanked key partners.

Debbie Dennis, Brooke Hopkins (event co-chairs)

Texas Women’s Foundation Board Chair Carrie Freeman Parsons greeted event guests, sharing, “With clarity of purpose and your support, we’ve continued to fulfill our mission and grow our impact year over year for the past 39 years.” Carrie also introduced the individuals who nominated the 2025 Young Leader awardees:   

·      Trey Crawford introduced Haleigh Jones,  Crawford, Wishnew & Lang Attorney. 

·      Maria Mendez introduced Cristal Retana Lule, Children’s Health Vice President of Community Relations.

Dr. Carine Feyten, Haleigh Jones, Dr. Rupa DeSilva, Anne Chow, Jennifer Bartkowski, Cristal Retana Lule

Awards Selection Committee Co-chair and previous Maura Award recipient Brenda Jackson introduced the 2025 Maura honorees and their presenters. 

·      Kim Lyle introduced Jennifer Bartkowski, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas CEO.

·      Mylinh Luong introduced Anne Chow, The Rewired CEO Founder. 

·      Samantha Barakat introduced Dr. Rupa DeSilva, Parkland Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center Professor. 

·      Christopher Johnson introduced Dr. Carine Feyten, Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President. 

·      Former TXWF Board Chairs Caren Lock and Shonn Brown introduced Cynt Marshall, Marshalling Resources Founder and The Dallas Mavericks (retired CEO), who was unable to attend the event. 

Dianne Chipps Bailey, Dodee Frost Crockett, Jennifer Chandler, Alesia Coffman, Crissie Fortmeyer

Dia Wall, WFAA anchor and reporter, hosted a conversation with the 2025 Maura Award recipients who shared their insight on everything from healthcare, to education, the wage gap and increased representation of women and Women of Color in leadership.

Karen Hughes White, Effie Dennison, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Caren Lock

Incoming TXWF Board Chair, Cris Zertuche Wong closed out the program by thanking all in attendance and invited guests to attend TXWF’s upcoming 40th Annual Luncheon at the Omni Hotel on November 14.

For additional partners and patrons, visit https://txwf.org/join-us/events/lfac-event/

Photo credit: Kim Leeson and Guy Rogers/TXWF

Hispanic 100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation Distributes a Record $150,000 in Grants to North Texas Nonprofits

The Hispanic 100 (H100) Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation awarded a record $150,000 in grants to 29 North Texas area nonprofits serving the needs of Latina women and girls in low- and moderate-income communities. 

Cris Zertuche Wong, co-chair H100 Latina Giving Circle; Delia Jasso, co-chair H100 Latina Giving Circle; Bridget Moreno Lopez, co-chair H100 Latina Giving Circle; Silvana Rosero, H100 President 

The H100 Latina Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation was established in 2019 by the Hispanic 100 Network to further engage Latinas in philanthropy, and to expand resources for local organizations whose mission is to empower, educate and support Latinas across North Texas.

Grants were given to the following:

•      Avance-Dallas – Parent-Child Education Program and Leadership Academy

•      Bryan’s House – Family Support Services program

•      Buckner Children and Family Services, Inc. – Educational and parenting programs

•      Cara Mía Theatre – Salaries for Latinas in LUCHADORA! premiere 

•      Catch Up & Read – Teacher training and tutoring 

•      The Compelling Why – Seminars and leadership programs for students 

•      The Concilio – Parents Advocating for Student Excellence program

•      Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center – Translation and interpretation costs

•      Family Compass – Growing As Parents Program in Collin County

•      The Family Place – ESL teacher salary and Spanish therapy toys and resources

•      First3Years – Free access to Spanish trainings on infant topics

•      Genesis Women’s Shelter – Clinical counseling and advocacy programs 

•      Healing Hands Ministries Inc. – Primary and preventative healthcare 

•      Hope Clinic of McKinney – Operational support for healthcare in Collin County 

•      ImmSchools – Expansion of monthly communications with immigrant families

•      Jolt Initiative – Leadership development programming for young Latinas

•      Jubilee Park Community Center – Economic self-sufficiency programs 

•      LiftFund – DFW Women’s Business Center program 

•      Literacy Achieves – Bilingual staff costs for English Literacy and Life Skills program 

•      Metrocrest Services – Support for Hispanic female-led households 

•      Mommies in Need -- Support for Annie's Place at Parkland Hospital

•      Our Friend’s Place – Program and staff salary costs 

•      Rosa es Rojo – Virtual Wellness Community Center salary and costs 

•      SafeHaven of Tarrant County – Salaries for two bilingual case managers 

•      SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. –SER STEM funds for girls to learn and compete in robotics 

•      Viola’s House Inc. – Maternity outreach program for new and expectant teen moms 

•      Wesley-Rankin Community Center – Girls of Hope and Girls of Honor courses 

•      Wilkinson Center –Integrated El Civics that trains ESL students for industry jobs

•      Young Women’s Preparatory Network – Support of Respect Starts Here program

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Texas Women’s Foundation president and CEO, said, “We applaud the H100 Latina Giving Circle for setting a high fundraising goal and achieving it in order to support these outstanding nonprofits that are meeting the needs of Latinas in North Texas.”

Cindy Ryan (Bryan’s House), Michelle Wilner (The Concilio), Karla Stack (The Concilio), Kate Kettles (Young Women’s Preparatory Network)

Donating to the H100 Latina Giving Circle is open to anyone who has a desire to join a legacy of philanthropy that creates positive change by investing in the lives of Latinas. To learn more about joining the H100 Latina Giving Circle, visit https://www.txwf.org/h100latinagivingcircle/ or email H100latinagc@txwf.org

Victoria Mendoza (Metrocrest Services), Daniela Marez (The Family Place), Carmen Garcia (Metrocrest Services)

Two Best-Selling Authors to Headline Texas Women’s Foundation’s 36th Annual Luncheon on Sept. 30

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) announces two remarkable bestselling authors, Angie Thomas and Cleo Wade, who will discuss the power of women’s storytelling at its 36^th Annual Luncheon on Tuesday, September 30 at 12 noon (CDT). Themed “My Voice. My Story. Every Woman’s Power to Build Compassion and Community,” the event tickets start at $36 each. For more information or to purchase a ticket to this virtual event, visit txwfluncheon.org.

Angie Thomas

Cleo Wade

Author, speaker and former teen rapper, Thomas released her debut novel, The Hate U Give in 2017; it spent three years on The New York Times bestseller list and was made into a movie. An accomplished poet, artist and activist who has been called the “Millennial Oprah” by New York Magazine, Wade just released a children’s novel, What the Road Said, which has already become a New York Times chart-topper. 

Lindsay Billingsley, Co-Chair

 

Debra Hunter Johnson, Co-Chair

Business and community leaders Lindsay Billingsley and Debra Hunter Johnson are co-chairs of the luncheon. Billingsley is Founder of LAB Strategies, where she works with non-profit organizations to develop strategic initiatives designed to enhance financial and philanthropic outcomes. Johnson is a speaker, investor and founder of Reciprocity Consulting Group, LLC where she provides strategic advice that helps individuals, teams and organizations accelerate their wisdom curve.

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Texas Women’s Foundation president and chief executive officer, said, “We look forward to hearing from two of the most significant storytellers in our nation – Angie Thomas and Cleo Wade. They remind us that every woman’s voice and story are important, valuable and powerful. We are also grateful to our amazing co-chairs, Lindsay and Debra, for helping Texas Women’s Foundation take our signature fundraiser to new heights.”

Others participating in the virtual event include Hilda Galvan, Texas Women’s Foundation board chair elect (assumes chair July 1, 2021) and partner-in-charge at Jones Day Dallas, and Laysha Ward, Target executive vice president and chief external engagement officer. Target is the keynote speaker sponsor, along with the Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Speaker Endowment Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation.

The Annual Luncheon is the Foundation’s principal fundraiser in support of its work to advance women’s economic security, leadership, education, health and safety in Texas through research, advocacy, programs and grantmaking. For those interested in supporting the event through sponsorship, contact Ashley K. Lindsay at alindsay@txwf.org 

Join us for this extraordinary virtual conversation with two remarkable bestselling authors discussing the power of each woman’s voice and story in building empathy, compassion and community in our world.

Texas Women's Foundation (txwfluncheon.org)