Junior League Of Dallas Celebrates Century Of Service 

By Cynthia Smoot         Photography by Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass

THE SETTING:  The Junior League of Dallas hosted its Centennial Gala, presented by the Sewell family, in the Chantilly Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. Led by Centennial Co-chairs Andrea Cheek and Margo Goodwin, the 1920s Art Nouveau-inspired soirée was the celebration of the century. The evening’s festivities served as the exciting conclusion to the League’s week-long celebration of its 100 years of service to the Dallas community. 

THE STYLE: The evening featured a VIP cocktail reception sponsored by Tolleson Wealth Management, a seated dinner, dancing, a big board auction, and a raffle. Guests were also treated to a performance by dancers from the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Guests then hit the dance floor and danced to the upbeat, lively tunes from Stratosphere, a 16-piece dance band performing under Jordan Kahn, sponsored by Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians. As an additional treat, guests looked inside JLD’s impressive 100-year-history through a Centennial exhibit available throughout the evening. Sponsors of the Gala included: the Sewell family, presenting sponsor; Dallas Osteopathic Physicians, entertainment sponsor; Tolleson Wealth Management, VIP Reception; Gittings Portraiture, VIP Photography, and Great Southwestern Fire & Safety served as the auction sponsor.

THE PURPOSE:  The Junior League of Dallas cultivates leaders who collectively address the critical needs of the community. Founded in 1922, the Dallas branch is one of the most prominent Junior Leagues in the world, and the largest and oldest training organization for women in Dallas. The JLD provides leadership opportunities to nearly 5,000 women each year through more than 26,000 cumulative hours of experiential and formal training. Uniquely member-run, the JLD contributes over 130,000 hours of volunteer service and approximately $1 million in funding to area nonprofits each year.