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It’s hard to imagine Southlake without the Southlake Women’s Club — the group behind so many of the community’s favorite traditions and good works.
But back in 1985, it all started quietly, with six women and one big idea.
That first meeting took place in Grapevine Park, where the women gathered to talk about friendship, leadership and how they might give back to a town that was just beginning to grow. Four decades later, that spark of service has become one of the most respected volunteer organizations in North Texas.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Southlake Women’s Club (SWC) brought members and supporters together this month for a luncheon and “Les Ladies en Blanc” fashion show and tea at The Westin Dallas Southlake. Of course, the real story isn’t just in the style — it’s in the service. The club began by raising funds for the volunteer fire department and scholarships for Carroll ISD students, often through humble spaghetti dinners and bake sales.
But Southlake was growing fast, and so were the club’s ambitions.
In 2000, members launched Art in the Square, now one of the nation’s top-ranked juried art festivals. Each spring, it transforms Southlake Town Square into a celebration of art, music and community, drawing more than 30,000 visitors and 150 artists from around the country.
Over the years, the club has distributed more than $3.6 million to local nonprofits, contributed $600,000 to Carroll ISD schools through its annual School Supply Sale, and hosted its Senior Citizen Valentine’s Luncheon for a remarkable 25 years.
“Forty years ago, our members came together with a simple mission: to make a difference in Southlake,” said SWC President Jessica Smith in a press release. “The impact has grown beyond what any of us could have imagined — from funding scholarships for area high school graduates to building and sustaining one of the most beloved cultural traditions in North Texas.”
As SWC steps into its fifth decade, the mission remains much the same — to empower women to serve, lead and give, while nurturing the Southlake spirit that started it all.
To learn more or get involved, visit southlakewomensclub.com.