IWF Dallas, a network of North Texas’ highly influential women leaders in business, philanthropy, government, and non-profits will celebrate its 35th Anniversary on March 31, at the Dallas Country Club.
“Our celebration will be a remarkable tribute to the power of the IWF experience, filled with moments of inspiration, connection, and reflection on the incredible journey Dallas’ women leaders have shared,” said Dr. Cynthia Mickens Ross, IWF president and CEO of Cynthia Mickens Ministries & Enterprises.
Keynoting the milestone event will be IWF Dallas member Merrilee Kick, founder and CEO of BuzzBallz, who came up with the idea of pre-mixed cocktails when she was a high school teacher working on her master’s thesis in 2009.
“Merilee’s remarkable journey — fueled by resilience, bold vision and entrepreneurial spirit — inspires and empowers women to turn the seemingly impossible into reality,” Dr. Mickens Ross said. “Her story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of courage, innovation and visionary leadership.”
Among those expected to attend are numerous founders and past presidents, who remain active in the organization that’s always been dedicated to elevating and advancing women’s leadership and offering support and sisterhood, Mickens Ross said.
Our founders are still doing remarkable things in our community and remain involved and supportive of IWF.
Said the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, former U.S. Senator U.S. and Permanent Representative to NATO:
“In the 1980s, I was a member of the International Women’s Forum. A relatively new Texas chapter had started with women in San Antonio, and I brought together some of the Dallas business women to begin meeting in Dallas.
As more women business owners, attorneys and leaders in the finance industry grew, it became clear a Dallas chapter would be more inclusive — bringing members together more regularly than a statewide chapter could produce.
IWF has given Dallas women leaders a great network with those in the many chapters nationwide, as well as international members. DFW has grown to be a desired headquarters for many Fortune 500 companies, and with our economic growth, the essential leadership of women is being recognized.”
From Linda Hart, Vice chairman, president and CEO of Hart Group Inc:
“IWF Dallas was organized in 1990, a time when there was still a paucity of women in positions of influence and leadership in all of corporate and professional America, let alone in Dallas, Texas.
Those of us, who were part of that community, were very focused on women in the workplace – and especially on those women in Dallas being able to access peers and lean on one another as we advanced or faced challenges in our chosen fields and professions.
We wanted to provide a group, a meeting place, where we could all benefit from the friendships and partnerships that could be formed.
As the past 35 years have shown, IWF Dallas – and the many women who have thrived in our business and professional community — have succeeded beyond what any of us could have hoped for or envisioned at that time.”
Lyda Hill, Entrepreneur, philanthropist, advocate for the advancement of young women, said this about IWF:
“Some Dallas gals met at various parties and enjoyed conversations about businesses we were starting. We knew ladies in Houston doing similar things and set up lunches to share ideas.
I did business with and belonged to some of the same organizations as male friends. Starting a women’s organization may have been a surprise to some, but it made sense to most.
When involved in operating companies, it is always useful to learn from others. That cuts costs and mistakes and helps move in the correct direction.
It is encouraging and inspiring to see other women advancing their offices and positions.”
About our celebration:
Date: March 31, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Address: Dallas Country Club, 4155 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75205
WHO WE ARE
IWF Dallas is a chapter of the International Women’s Forum, an invitation-only network of over 8,000 preeminent business, civic and philanthropic women around the globe. The mission of this “sisterhood” is to promote advancement of women leadership worldwide, as well as support each other.
IWF Dallas’ current 142 members include a senior U.S. federal judge, the Chancellor of Texas Woman’s University, the City Manager of Dallas, the CFO of the Texas Rangers, CEOs of the North Texas Food Bank, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum, successful entrepreneurs in a variety of endeavors, acclaimed artists, the executive editor of The Dallas Morning News, managing partners of numerous major North Texas law and accounting firms, a leading international cyber security expert, and yes, the founder of BuzzBallz.
NOTE: March is Women’s History Month. Interviews can be arranged to discuss the role of IWF members in shaping Dallas’ business and civic landscape. Contact Katrice Hardy at kkatgurll1@gmail.com and 757-581-3149.
Media interested in covering the March 31 milestone luncheon should also contact Katrice by March 26.
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