The Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden General Membership Meeting
(Featured photo: Endowment Trust Oversight Committee members Patricia Cowlishaw and Venise Stuart; Endowment Trust Trustee Linda Spina, Trust Advisor Lisa Meyer, Lisa Loy Laughlin, President, Women’s Council; Mary Brinegar, President and CEO, DABS.)*
The Women’s Council Has Made History Fulfilling the Endowment Trust for
Phase II of A Woman’s Garden – The Only Public Garden in the United States Conceived by Women, Funded by the Efforts of Women and Dedicated to the Universal Spirit of Women.
The Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden general membership met at Rosine Hall at the Dallas Arboretum where president Lisa Loy Laughlin made an historic announcement and board chairs gave updates on special events. It was all capped off with a special presentation on “Exciting Plans Around the Corner” by Arboretum representatives Phil Huey, Past Board Member and Chair of the Gardens and Ground Committee; Mary Brinegar, President and CEO, DABS and Dave Forehand, VP of Gardens followed by a delicious picnic lunch.
The event began with Lisa welcoming everyone for the first meeting of the year and thanked the chairs Allison Brodnax and Dixie Marshall. She also recognized Sue John and Gay Rekerdres for their help with this morning’s logistics.
Lisa announced the Women’s Council has made history once again! In August 2021 the Women’s Council met their obligation to complete the funding of the $1.6 million endowment trust to support the ongoing maintenance of Phase II of A Woman’s Garden. She was joined on stage by Endowment Trust Trustee Linda Spina, Endowment Trust Oversight Committee members Patricia Cowlishaw and Venise Stuart, and Trust Advisor Lisa Meyer as she presented a check in the amount of $280,000 to Mary Brinegar, representing the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society.
A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the universal spirit of women.
“This is truly historic,” Lisa said. “We are thrilled and so very grateful for each individual and collaborative contribution which has provided the opportunity for the Women’s Council, that not only has the endowment trust for Phase II been funded four years ahead of schedule, but that it happened during this year as we launch A Woman’s Garden 25th Anniversary Campaign happening through October 2022.”
A Woman’s Garden is a world-renowned display garden of timeless design recognized for its own unique history. Overlooking beautiful White Rock Lake, A Woman’s Garden sits majestically as a living testament to the passion and vision of Women’s Council founders Margaret McDermott and Virginia Nick, and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design – a composite of elegance and rustic strength, of water and landscape, of formal and naturalistic elements and of refuge and renewal. Created out of deep respect for nature and the feminine ideal, A Woman’s Garden provides aesthetically beautiful, meaningful spaces that offer the spiritual renewal central to its original concept as a tribute to the spirit of women. Since its opening in 1997, A Women’s Garden continues to grow and evolve to the enjoyment and delight of visitors of all ages to the Dallas Arboretum.
Sharon Ballew, Sarah Jo Hardin 
Dixie Marshall, Allison Brodnax
Lisa said, “It is important to emphasize that even as the Women’s Council has met their goal to fund the endowment trust for Phase II, the need to raise funds and to grow the endowment trust continues and will continue throughout the future to fund the year-round maintenance of the plantings, features, structures and repairs when needed. The Garden’s maintenance, development and the endowment trust are funded solely through the fundraising efforts of the Women’s Council and by the generosity of donors who have honored the Women’s Council with financial gifts in naming features in the Garden. It is crucial that the community understand the importance of its continued support for A Woman’s Garden to ensure its legacy for generations to come.”
Opportunities for supporting A Woman’s Garden include Garden Gifting, Tributes and Dedications such as major named features in the garden, Trio of English Planters in the Boxwood Niche, the Mount Holyoke Table, Circle of Honor Engraved Stones, Magnificent Specimen Trees, the Endowment Trust Fund, The Lisianthus Society, and Tribute Cards.
Endowment Trust History: In May 1995 the Women’s Council broke ground on Phase I of A Woman’s Garden. On October 4, 1997, Phase I of A Woman’s Garden opened to the public. Just three years later in 2000, the Women’s Council met its obligation to fund the $1.5 million endowment trust to support the ongoing maintenance of Phase I. In August 2021 the Women’s Council met its obligation four years early to complete the funding of the $1.6 million endowment trust to support the ongoing maintenance of Phase II of A Woman’s Garden.
Upcoming Events: Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 16, 2021 for the “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” 15th Annual A Writer’s Garden Literary Symposium and Luncheon. Chaired by Sandy Ammons with Marilyn Weber as honorary chair, the event begins with a morning reception, followed by the symposium featuring Bettie Bearden Pardee, Newport, RI; Susan Sully, Charleston, SC and Dr. William C. Welch, College Station, TX and a lovely luncheon. Tickets, underwriting and sponsorships are available via the website at www.wcdabg.org
HISTORY: Since 1986 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. The support of over 500 members of the Women’s Council makes possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Visit the website at www.wcdabg.org
*Photos by Dana Driensky
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations,is honored to represent the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and post this Charity Lifestyles Scene.)
