Society

COUNCIL CELEBRATES 40TH, WOMAN’S GARDEN TURNS 25

Only public garden funded by and dedicated to women honors feminine ideal

By Maria Lawson

maria.lawson@peoplenewspapers.com

AWoman’s Garden at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is turning 25.

The garden was started in 1997 by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and, to this day, is the only public garden in the country conceived by, funded by, and dedicated to women.

“Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion, and commitment of women across generations coming together to support a common goal: the fulfillment of our mission in support of A Woman’s Garden,” said Sarah Jo Hardin, the current president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

Our Women’s Council members are connected by a strong vine of love for nature, earthly beauty, and A Woman’s Garden. Sarah Jo Hardin

Overlooking White Rock Lake, the world-renowned display of design and history serves as a living testament to the council’s founders, Margaret McDermott and Virginia Nick, and other members who have committed to creating a garden dedicated to the spirit of women across generations. The design brings in rustic strength, water and landscape, formal and naturalistic elements, and refuge and renewal to reflect a respect for nature and the feminine ideal.

“The relationship between the Women’s Council and the Dallas Arboretum is truly a wonderful partnership,” said Mary Brinegar, president and CEO of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society. “Both groups have high standards and an interest in making sure those visiting from our area and indeed from afar see a garden that is competitive with the finest gardens in the world, due to classic design and attention to detail.”

Not only does 2022 mark the garden’s 25th anniversary, but it also celebrates the Women’s Council’s 40th anniversary. The now 500-member body was founded in 1982 with the mission of making the garden’s design, construction, funding, and endowment a reality — and in 40 years, the nonprofit has continued to do just that.

Proceeds from the garden benefit the growth of the maintenance and improvement of A Woman’s Garden, and the need for fundraising continues to grow to support the yearround maintenance of the plantings, features, structures, and repairs. Fundraising efforts include those by members of the Women’s Council and donors who give financial gifts in return for naming features in the garden.

“Our Women’s Council members are connected by a strong vine of love for nature, earthly beauty, and A Woman’s Garden,” Hardin said. “Together, we have taken that connective vine and grown not only a beautiful garden but a legacy of volunteerism and friendship.”

TO CELEBRATE

40th Anniversary Ruby Red Gala Oct. 21 at 6:45 p.m. (VIP event at 6 p.m.) A gala feautring a champagne reception, seated dinner, program, and dancing to benefit and celebrate the Women’s Council.

16th annual A Writer’s Garden Oct. 18 Literary presentations about horticulture, gardens, landscape design, historic preservation, cooking, and art featuring internationally known authors and speakers. For more information, visit womenscouncildallasarboretum.org.

As a donor and guest, have you ever decided to attend a philanthropic event based on the food to be served?

How would you feel about attending a $1,000 per ticket gala that served Vienna Sausages, SpaghettiOs, and Natty Light? It’s party season in Dallas, and, fingers crossed, KERSTEN RETTIG philanthropic and social organizations will be able to carry out their carefully planned parties and galas without worrying about COVID cancellations.

Chairing a philanthropic event of any size is no small task. I’ve chaired a few myself and, depending on the occasion, have spent up to a year working with the beneficiary, its leadership, an event planner in some cases, and a multitude of vendors.

Oh, and then there is the real reason for the event: fundraising. Some philanthropists and organizations make it look easy to raise hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in one event, but it’s not. However, there are perks.

In addition to the obvious benefit of supporting a cause you’re passionate about, it is fun to chair an event, and one great perk, say many former event chairs I consulted for this piece, is that you get to choose the menu.

Many large fundraisers are held at hotels, but that doesn’t mean the food is institutional. One of the season’s largest and most exquisite events is Crystal Charity Ball at the Hilton Anatole. The ballroom holds

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The Crystal Charity Ball always features elegant tablescapes and

delicious food. (PHOTOS: TAMYTHA CAMERON); VNA Texas’ Celebrity Chef events have featured chef Toni Tipton Martin’s lamb and sweet potatoes. (PHOTOS: COURTESY VNA TEXAS)

1,500, and it’s a sell-out each year. I’ve attended the ball five times, and each time, the food was excellent; always beef tenderloin as the main dish and glorious hors d’oeuvres and desserts before and after.

Ashlie Lynch, The Mansion on Turtle Creek’s assistant director of events, has planned hundreds of events there and noted the typical sit-down event menus are chicken and salads for luncheons and strip steaks and The Mansion’s famous Tortilla Soup for evening events.

Carmen Hancock chaired the Jade Ball benefitting the Crow Museum of Asian Art at the Arts District Mansion, formerly known as the Belo. “They did an amazing job on menu options. We wanted an Asian flare to the menu, and they provided exactly what we wanted,” she said.

VNA Texas hosts its annual Celebrity Chef luncheon and dinner events every spring, featuring well-known chefs who preside while the Food Company caterer prepares and serves that chef’s recipes. This is the best “gala” food I’ve had, and it’s creative and memorable every time. VNA has booked Chef Martin Yan for the 2023 event, which will be a big foodie draw. Does the menu matter more than the cause itself?

Certainly not. However, organizers want guests to attend and enjoy the event so they can become more engaged with the cause. Good food and beverage are part of the equation, keeping in mind that respecting donor funds is priority one. Dallas is one of the most philanthropic cities in the country; the parties are just the icing on the cake.

Follow Kersten Rettig, a Park Cities-based writer with 30-plus years of experience in food and beverage marketing and public relations, on Instagram @KerstenEats.