January 2017

The Junior League of Houston recently presented the Adelaide Lovett Baker Award to Florence “Flo” Wells McGee with the 2016 Adelaide Lovett Baker Award. This award is the highest honor bestowed on a sustaining member of the League.

A native Texan, McGee is a graduate of The University of Texas and a loyal Longhorn. Shortly following graduation and her marriage to Bill McGee, she became a provisional member of the Junior League. Forty-three years later, she is still a participating member and was most recently appointed to serve on the Junior League of Houston Foundation board of directors.

“Selfless” is the word that best epitomizes McGee’s lifelong dedication to and leadership of the causes she loves. The examples of her leadership are numerous and significant: co-chairman, Imagination Celebration 7Benefit; president, Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors and co-chairman, two capital campaigns; board chairman, DePelchin Children’s Center; president, Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae; senior warden, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and co-chairman, capital campaign among many other positions; co-chairman, The Women’s Fund benefit and co-chairman, Tanglewood Park restoration campaign. In all of these demanding positions, McGee leads efficiently but with a light touch, defusing any tension with a twinkle in her eye and a laugh at her own expense.

Never one to call attention to herself, others have had the privilege of tooting McGee’s horn on her behalf. Bo’s Place honored her with the Robin Bush Award in 2015, noting her exceptional impact upon children’s causes. For very different reasons, the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work named a portion of its Nonprofit Leadership Alliance the “Flo McGee Career Development Institute” in her honor. Despairing of accepting accolades, McGee turned the tables of being recognized for her own work by funding the Texas Children’s Hospital Nursing Award. This award is given annually to two nurses who excel in their field. Only family members and a few close friends know the true extent of her generosity and influence for good.

Good at leading, giving and caring, McGee has touched the lives of thousands of children who will never know her. But there are three children who know her well and call her “Flosie” – her grandchildren Elizabeth Rose, William Wade and Amanda Claire, the children of her own children, Lindy and Tom McGee and April and Wells McGee.

Source: December 19, 2016, Absolutely! Memorial 2016 Adelaide Lovett Baker Award Winner Florence Wells McGee