The Sara Houstoun Lindsey Award was established through a gift from Mr. John H. Lindsey, in celebration of his wife, Sara Houstoun Lindsey, JLH President from 1957 – 1958. It honors an active member who exemplifies the Junior League of Houston’s mission in all walks of her life.

Kathryn Lee Bragan joined the JLH in 2000. Her numerous years of service encompass an extraordinary array of placements in most areas of the League. She has served as Building Chairman, Community Assistance Chairman, and currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Community Initiatives Director. In every placement that she’s held, she has brought great enthusiasm, persistence and a genuine love for the community and the League.

Kathryn is also very active outside the League serving as a Houston Zoo Ambassador, sitting on the steering committee for the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association, and volunteering with the Chi Omega Alumni Association and First Presbyterian Church. A huge thank you to Kathryn for all that she has done and continues to do for the Junior League of Houston.

Nonprofit agencies from across the Houston area gathered at the League on March 1, 2012, to address some of the most pressing issues affecting children. Dr. Angelo Giardino was so gracious to speak about “Children Who Witness Violence: A Call to Action.” Lunch was served in the League Ballroom and a nonprofit agency showcase was held in the Tea Room. Representatives from over 20 agencies were there to educate attendees on their agencies goals and programs.

Each year, the Junior League of Houston seeks to broaden its impact in the Houston community by providing Community Assistance Grants to organizations that do not receive ongoing volunteer support or financial assistance through the League’s community projects. Since the creation of the program in 1955 – 1956, the League has directed almost $3.6 million in financial support to many agencies. The 2011 – 2012 Community Assistance Grants totaling $70,000 were awarded to the following agencies at a luncheon in their honor on February 23, 2012, in the JLH Tea Room: The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, Inc.; Comp-U-Dopt; Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels and Much, Much More, Inc.; Making It Better; and Workshop Houston.

The Junior League of Houston, Inc. hosted their 64th annual Charity Ball, Starry Night Ball, over three evenings with over 850 guests in attendance and raising $930,000 for various community projects. Starry Night Ball was presented by Junior League President Perry Ann Davis Reed, Charity Ball Chairman Marian Hearne Hilpert, and Underwriting Chairman Shannon Beirne Wiesedeppe. The presenting underwriters for this year’s event are JLH Community Partners,Texas Children’s Hospital, Weatherford International Ltd. and Sewell Automotive Companies.

Junior League entertainment chair Casey Schrade presented a rousing variety show directed by Bill Bartlett and choreographed by Mistie Porter, which brought the glamorous crowd to their feet. As always, the variety show at the gala is so much fun because it features Junior League members and friends. Both Friday and Saturday evenings featured one-of-a-kind luxe items on the popular “Big Board”: a Vacation package provided by Exclusive Resorts Luxury Destination, a jewelry item donated by Nacol & Co., and a year of women’s shoes donated by LUCHO.

The Charity Ball is the primary source of funding for the League’s Community Program and all underwriting dollars for the event go directly to support the League’s community efforts, which will provide approximately $2 million in trained volunteer time and direct financial support to more than 36 community and League-initiated programs.

The Junior League of Houston is pleased to recognize Nancy Stallworth Thomas as the tenth winner of the Adelaide Lovett Baker Award. Her vision, dedication and leadership in the field of conservation, civic improvement, and education on all levels have been honored by many and respected by those around her. To hear of Nancy’s accomplishments and strong commitment to
all of her service projects makes any Junior League member proud to have Nancy as an example to emulate.

With more than 54 years of membership in Junior League of Houston, Nancy continues to utilize her experiences from serving on Junior League Boards and projects to influence her lifelong dedication to community service. Nancy has worked tirelessly to make the world a more beautiful place through her unwavering dedication and leadership as President of both the Garden Club of Houston and the Garden Club of America. She has served as President of the Board of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Vice President of the American Horticulture Society, and on the Boards of the Garden Conservancy and The Center for Plant Conservation. Currently, she serves as President Emeritus of the Houston Botanic Garden.

As a loyal member at Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal, Nancy has been a member of the Choir, Past President of the Ladies Parish Association, and continues as an active member of the Altar Guild. There are many organizations that have benefited from Nancy’s efforts, including Board of Trustees of The Kinkaid School, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston Rienzi Garden
Committee, The Board of Peckerwood Gardens, Sheltering Arms, Houston Child Guidance Center, Houston Clean City Commission, the Board of the Houston Arboretum, and the Committee for Restoration of Gardens of The Texas Governor’s Mansion.

The Junior League of Houston is thankful for all of Nancy Stallworth Thomas’s accomplishments. She will be honored at the League’s Sustaining Club Fall Luncheon on October 17, 2011.

The Junior League Award for Membership Development was presented to the Junior League of Houston for our Junior League University (JLU) program. This program is designed to connect transferring members to the Houston League as soon as they move to Houston. Transfer members attend JLU classes that are meant to teach them about all the ways the League works to give back to the community, as well as educate them about the overall mission and values of the League. The goal is to engage the transfers to be contributors to the League right way and connect rapidly with advisors and other members. Each year, the program successfully integrates 90 to 120 transfers into the League.

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, Houston Woman Magazine hosted their Fifth Annual Nominate HER Awards Luncheon honoring seven amazing women in the Houston area. Our very own President, Perry Ann Reed, received the 2011 Community Angel Award. This specific award is given to someone who truly dedicates herself to community service and has the amazing ability to influence the lives of others.

One of Perry Ann’s largest community service endeavors for the Junior League last year was to coordinate Junior League volunteers for ABC TV’s Extreme Home Makeover challenge. With less than 72 hours notice of the build, Perry Ann was able, with the help of other wonderful Junior League leaders, to schedule more than 250 volunteers over a period of seven days to build a new home for the Johnson family. Perry Ann utilized the Junior League website, Facebook page, Twitter account and e-blasts to effectively communicate with our League members about the opportunities to volunteer and the status of the build.

Besides the Junior League, Perry Ann has committed numerous hours to other organizations such as St. Luke’s Methodist Church where she is an active member of the Board of Stewards. She also co-chaired the 2010 River Oaks Baptist School Gala and has served as vice president of communications for the National Charity League – Bayou City. Perry Ann is a 2010 graduate of the Center for Houston’s Future Business and Civic Leadership Forum where she continues to contribute to the vision of Houston in 2040.

On the evening of Friday, June 17, 2011, Bering’s and Rolls-Royce of Houston sponsored anelegant and entertaining event featuring Lord Wedgwood of Barlaston. Lord Wedgwood, whowas visiting Houston for the first time from the United Kingdom, is a direct descendent of JosiahWedgwood, the founder of the famous Wedgwood china and ceramics company. The eventkicked off the premiere of the Wedgwood and Waterford “An Artful Life” collection and Bering’s was kind enough to donate 20% of the proceeds from Wedgwood and Waterford sales that evening to the Junior League of Houston.

The evening was a huge success as over fifty League members attended one of the first fun group meetings of the new League year. Many members purchased beautiful Wedgwood pieces for themselves and for gifts. Because of their fabulous shopping and Bering’s amazing generosity, the Junior League raised $1,149.83 to support our community efforts.