The 3rd annual Visionary Women luncheon was a magnificent tribute, not only to the recipients of the award, legendary leaders of Woodrow Wilson High School’s Drama Department — Marca Lee Bircher and Patricia Hardman — but to all of Lakewood and East Dallas.
The luncheon, hosted by Juliette Fowler Communities, was held April 7 in the Trinity Ballroom of the Omni Dallas Hotel. WFAA news anchor and award winning journalist Shelly Slater was the emcee.
Juliette Fowler Communities and WoodrowWilsonHigh School, both located in Lakewood, have each played vital roles in building the community.
Juliette Peak Fowler, born May 8, 1837, was one of 13 children born to Colonel Jefferson and MarthaPeak. In 1855, the family moved to East Dallas and settled on a farm in the community, building the first brick house in the county.
Juliette married Archibald Fowler, a Fort Worth lawyer, but was widowed at the age of 23. Following the death of her husband, she devoted her life to caring for others and performing charitable deeds. Always envisioning a refuge for widows and orphans, upon her death she left $4,000 and 15.5 acres of East Dallas land for such a haven.
Truly a visionary woman, today, Juliette Fowler Communities provides independent senior living, assisted living, memory care, quality senior health services, physical rehabilitation, affordable senior living, foster care, and the Ebby House for young women who have aged out of foster care.
WoodrowWilsonHigh School, affectionately known as Woodrow, has been home to many of the community’s pioneers, scholars, philanthropists, athletes and leaders.
East Dallas families, young and old, return to the high school auditorium each year to experience the magnificent theatrical performances put on by Woodrow students.
Marca Lee Bircher and Patricia Hardman were the creative team behind Woodrow’s award winning music and theater productions for nearly 30 years. They were honored as the 2015 Visionary Women.
Tim Brown was the keynote speaker at the luncheon. Brown was the 1987 Heisman Trophy Winner, made the College Football All American Team twice at Notre Dame,and was recently voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And where did he come from? He grew up in Southeast Dallas and graduated from WoodrowWilsonHigh School.
In 2014, Brown published his first book, “The Making of a Man: How Men and Boys Honor God and Live with Integrity.”
Today’s luncheon program appropriately opened with Woodrow performers singing “What a Wonderful World” and closed with a benediction by The Rev. Kim Clowe, Chaplain of Juliette Fowler Communities.
Prior to today’s luncheon I had the honor of attending the two previous Visionary Women Luncheons when Ebby Halliday was awarded Visionary Woman in 2013 and Vivian Castleberry in 2014. They have all been wonderful and inspiring events supporting the adage “Girls with dreams become women with vision.”
This year’s luncheon was especially memorable to me because of the emphasis on Lakewood and East Dallas, the community that has been my home for the past 30 years. Additionally I had the privilege of sitting at a table with Chairman of the Board of Fowler Communities, Roland Bandy and his wife, Mary and Rev. Dr. Debbie Chisolm, senior co-pastor of Central Christian Church along with other members of my church.