CoACT Mindful Market

• Collective Action Network (CoAct) North Texas implements initiatives such as Grow Southeast, which helps grow urban farms, and Funkytown Mindful Market, an artisan and farmers market hosted at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, designed to increase food access and cultural representation in East Fort Worth. Funding will allow the organization to expand educational efforts and support its Market Money program, which offers clients money to spend on local food at the Mindful Market.
• Community Link serves families in Northwest Tarrant County by providing food, case management, and mental health counseling, and through operation of the Azle and Saginaw farmers markets. The project will use funds to improve food production for its Fresh Link Farms initiative and support its Farmer Buyback Program, which allows the organization to purchase produce from farmers at fair market value.
• Erath County Community Garden is managed by the Stephenville 20th Century Club and three area churches to grow and provide fresh fruits and vegetables to local food banks. The project will utilize funds to cover the cost of drip irrigation for its next phase of expansion and add more garden beds, which will allow them to greatly increase the amount of fresh produce supplied to Erath County residents.
• Feed the Streetz Outreach serves ZIP codes 75203, 75215, 75232, and 75180. The nonprofit works to minimize hunger and promote food security in Dallas by providing culturally nutritious foods to individuals and families, particularly those affected by systemic barriers out of their control. The organization will use funding to expand its mobile pantry efforts and introduce “Table Talk” community sessions with the goal of engaging and empowering residents by educating them about the links between diet, health, and lifestyle sustainability.
• New Life Farms in Dallas seeks to create a sustainable ecosystem that provides nutritious organic foods to underserved individuals as well as everyone else in the community. The organization firmly believes food is medicine and taking proper care of the soil is crucial to maintaining the health of the community. New Life Farms plans to use funds to create an onsite farmers market near UNT Dallas, where residents can receive fresh produce and other products.
• Ridglea Giving Garden in Fort Worth is a food production garden that uses sustainable and regenerative methods to grow healthy fruits and vegetables for local food banks. The goal is to educate students and families about healthy living habits and how food is cultivated. Ridglea Giving Garden will use funding to expand its production and education programs, with the goal of producing 2,000 pounds of food within the next year.
• Southside Community Garden is a grassroots initiative designed to increase access to fresh produce by creating home gardens for community members living in Fort Worth’s 76104 ZIP code, which has one of the lowest life expectancies in Texas. Funding will support garden revitalization days involving a network of home gardeners, volunteers, and organizers, which are planned in September and October.

New Life Farms

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The designation reflects Center for Transforming Lives’ ongoing commitment to creating a workplace culture where employees are empowered to succeed at work and at home. From paid parental leave to mental health support to discounted childcare, the organization continues to invest in policies that strengthen its team and its mission.

Photo courtesy of the Center for Transforming LIves

“Being recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents® is a powerful affirmation of our values as a social service nonprofit,” said Carol Klocek, CEO of Center for Transforming Lives. “Our work focuses on supporting single mothers and their children, and that begins with fostering a workplace where our own team members — many of whom are parents and caregivers — feel supported and valued. Family friendly policies aren’t just part of our culture, they’re a reflection of our mission. We are proud to create a workplace where families can thrive, and to invest in our greatest asset, which is our incredible team.”

The Best Place for Working Parents® initiative honors businesses and organizations that meet criteria across 10 evidence-based policies proven to benefit working parents and positively impact business outcomes. Center for Transforming Lives’ family friendly benefits include a generous paid time off program, paid parental leave, employee assistance program, mental health support, continuing education tuition assistance, discounted childcare and more.

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Clement, who previously served as Director of Development, joined Camp Fire in January 2021. During her tenure, she has led major fundraising initiatives, strengthened donor relationships, and advanced corporate and foundation partnerships. As Vice President of Development, she will oversee philanthropic strategy and revenue diversification to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability.

Mitchell, who joined Camp Fire in February 2007, most recently served as Director of Marketing and Communications. Over the past 18 years, she has directed brand strategy, public relations, digital engagement, and customer experience for the organization. In her new role as Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Mitchell will continue to elevate Camp Fire’s story across North Texas, aligning with the organization’s strategic focus on marketing and storytelling as drivers of transformation.

“Tamara and Sara have each demonstrated extraordinary leadership and vision in their respective areas,” said Brian Miller, President/CEO of Camp Fire First Texas. “Their promotions recognize the vital role development and marketing play in advancing our mission. With their expertise and passion, we are well-positioned to deepen our impact and ensure more youth, families, and educators benefit from Camp Fire programs.”

Clement said she is energized by the opportunity to expand the reach of Camp Fire’s mission through sustainable growth. “This role is about ensuring Camp Fire is positioned for long-term impact,” Clement said. “By building lasting relationships and diversifying our revenue, we are making it possible for more youth to discover their sparks and thrive, and for more educators to receive the support they need to succeed.”

Mitchell said she looks forward to advancing the organization’s visibility and community presence. “I believe in the power of storytelling to inspire action,” Mitchell said. “As we implement our strategic plan, our goal is to make sure every family, partner, and supporter understands the life-changing experiences Camp Fire provides. Marketing is not just about awareness—it’s about driving transformation and ensuring that the next generation has access to opportunities in nature, in learning, and in community.”

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The Fund will provide grants of up to $5,000 to culinary professionals, artisans, producers, and entrepreneurs across North Texas whose bold projects strengthen both their businesses and the broader hospitality community. Created in honor of the extraordinary vision and leadership of FWFWF co-founder and board chair emeritus Russell Kirkpatrick, the Fund celebrates his lasting impact on the Foundation and Fort Worth’s culinary community as a whole.

“Fort Worth is a city that thrives on vision, and I’ve been fortunate to see what happens when a community rallies behind its culinary talent,” said Festival Co-Founder Russell Kirkpatrick. “The Kirkpatrick Visionary Fund is about giving back to the very people who make this region such a dynamic place to eat, drink, and gather. It’s an honor to see this award carry my name, but more importantly, it’s about the next generation of trailblazers who will push us all forward.”

Russell Kirkpatrick, Julie Eastman, Richard King, and Jon Bonnel at 2025 FWFWF
Photo courtesy of FWFWF

Known for his nearly two decades at Reata, his current role as Director of Operations at From Scratch Hospitality, and as one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival, Russell Kirkpatrick has long been regarded as one of the most beloved figures in Fort Worth’s restaurant landscape.  Inspired after seeing so much local talent showcased at the Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit, he championed the idea of creating a festival that celebrated Fort Worth’s own culinary community – a vision that grew into today’s marquee event welcoming more than 7,000 guests each spring. Throughout his career, Kirkpatrick has continually uplifted chefs, artisans, and entrepreneurs, ensuring that Fort Worth’s hospitality community has both a stage and the support to thrive.

Applications for the inaugural award cycle open September 1, 2025, and close October 31, 2025, with recipients to be notified by January 2026. Beginning in 2026, the award will follow an annual May–August cycle, ensuring ongoing support for projects that blend creativity, feasibility, and community impact. Each award will be chosen by a selection committee of North Texas business leaders. The inaugural committee is comprised of Marcelle LeBlanc (Velvet Box), Joey Turner (BREWED, Daymakers), Maurice Ahern (Gold Ribbon Confections/Grounds & Gold), Tina Howard (Leaves Bakery and Books), and Hao Tran (Hao’s Grocery & Café) — ensuring the process reflects the creativity, community-mindedness, and entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of the program.

The Kirkpatrick Visionary Fund builds on Russell’s legacy by helping bring fresh ideas to life. Whether it’s launching a new product line, expanding a beloved neighborhood spot, reimagining a business model, or creating a program rooted in community, the Fund is designed to back the kind of projects that move both a business — and the North Texas culinary scene — forward.

FWFWF
Photo Courtesy of Nancy Farrar

“The Foundation was built on Russell’s vision: that Fort Worth’s culinary talent deserved a stage, and that the funds raised could go right back into growing that community,” said Julie Eastman, Executive Director of FWFWF. “This Fund is an extension of that same mission — to champion, cultivate, and celebrate the people shaping the future of the North Texas hospitality industry

To date, the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation has invested $613,000.00 back into the community through culinary scholarships, classroom grants, chef stipends, emergency relief funds, partnerships with organizations like Southern Smoke Foundation, and now, the Kirkpatrick Visionary Fund. This commitment underscores FWFWF’s mission: to champion and cultivate the region’s hospitality community while celebrating and sustaining Fort Worth’s distinctive food, beverage, and culinary traditions.

Applications and full program details are available now at fwfwf.org.

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Steeped in tradition while embodying today’s cowboy and cowgirl lifestyle vibe, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR) is the city’s capstone event for Western fun and entertainment. FWSSR rodeo performances are scheduled in Dickies Arena January 16 through February 7.

Fans can purchase tickets early via Ticketmaster.com from Wednesday, September 4 at 10a.m. through Sunday, September 7 at 11:59p.m. with unlock code:  DICKIES.   Guests looking for special group ticket rates and/or to plan a custom group experience including room rental, tickets, parking and food and beverage, can reach out to GroupSales@DickiesArena.com

Tickets to popular rodeo performances sell quickly so the public is encouraged to purchase early.

New for 2026 is the PRORODEO Rookie Rally (Jan. 22)where top rookies in professional rodeo will compete eight exciting events. Returning is the FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament (Jan. 23 – Feb. 7), and the $1.5 million purse which ranks it among the nation’s top five rodeos sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Besides the PRORODEO Tournament and Rookie Rally, fans will have a variety of additional choices for their rodeo experience at the 2026 Stock Show.

Specialty rodeos include:

• Best of the West Ranch Rodeo           Jan. 16 & 17
• Best of Mexico Celebración               Jan. 18
• Cowboys of Color Rodeo                   Jan. 19
• Bulls’ Night Out                                 Jan. 20 & 21

Fans of Mustang Magic can also purchase tickets beginning September 8 and during the presale. Mustang Magic performances in the Will Rogers Coliseum include Horses and Horsemen of the World on January 23 and the Mustang Magic Top Ten Finals on January 24.

Photo courtesy of FWSSR

THREE EASY WAYS TO PURCHASE ON SEPTEMBER 8.  

• Online at www.fwssr.com or Ticketmaster.com
• By phone at 817-502-0011
• Visiting the Dickies Arena Box Office at 1911 Montgomery Street in Fort Wort

While the Dickies Arena Box Office will be open for the launch of Stock Show rodeo ticket sales on Monday, September 8, its normal schedule is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Make plans today to enjoy rodeo, music, livestock and horse shows, petting zoos and pony rides, carnival-midway and shopping from January 16 through February 7 at Will Rogers Memorial Center and Dickies Arena. Go to FWSSR.COM for more information.   

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After the dog days of August, September comes in with all the fun of fall with the lovely weather of late summer. We’re back into the swing of school, and we’re ready to get out and have some fun. Accordingly, we’ve gathered the best of events and activities to do with your family and friends, so be sure to bookmark this page to refer to all month long!

First Tuesday: Spectrum Chamber Society Presents “Espectro de Tango”
September 2
Stage West

Experience the passion of the tango from its origins in Argentina to today.

Historic Fort Worth, Inc. Presents Preservation Is the Art of the City
September 4-6
First on 7^th

Celebrate local artists, purchase art, and support Historic Fort Worth, Inc. all at once!

HOUSE OF BEY: A Beyoncé Celebration
September 4
Tulips FTW

Celebrate Queen Bey and her music from Lemonade and Renaissance to Dangerously In Love and I Am…Sasha Fierce. Happy B’Day, indeed!

Fort Worth Fall Home & Garden Show
September 5-7
Will Rogers Memorial Center

From cooking classes to making terrariums, from seminars to shopping, get ready to be inspired at the Home & Garden Show.

Couples Cook: Beef Wellington
September 5
Central Market Cooking School

Grab your sweetie and come to Central Market Cooking School to make and enjoy an impressive meal, perfect for date nights or dinner parties.

Family Workshop: The View from Here
September 6
Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Children six to 12 can make art while learning about art from the Carter Collection. Adults must be accompanied by a responsible child.

FWADA’s Fall Gallery Night 2025
September 6
All over town

Explore local art and artists as you stroll through galleries, museums, and local businesses.

Iconic: Circle Theatre’s 2026 Season Revelation
September 8
Circle Theatre

Celebrate 45 years of Circle Theatre with an evening of music, food, drinks, and the unveiling of the 2026 Season.

TCU Women’s Volleyball Fight in the Fort
September 11 & 12
Schollmaier Arena

TCU hosts Wyoming, Rhode Island, and Missouri at Schollmaier Arena. Go Frogs!

In This Space: Community Celebration and Fundraising Gala
September 12
VIP Gala – The Nobleman Hotel
Community Celebration – Amphibian Stage

Celebrate the ‘Phib! Enjoy an evening of music, a champagne toast, a raffle of goodies from local businesses, and a mystery performance.

Bioblitz at Rosemont Park
September 13
Rosemont Park

Help Fort Worth Parks document biodiversity at the park, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed.

CMSFW Ensemble Presents Subtle Connections Across the World
September 13
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Enjoy the inaugural concert of the 2025-2026 season with a program that includes works by Brahms, Shulman, and von Dohnányi.

Disney Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour
September 16
Dickies Arena

Dance and sing along with your favorite starts from Disney’s “Descendents” and “Zombies” series.

Mainstay Farm Pumpkin Fall Days
September 20 through November 2
Mainstay Farm

This isn’t your mama’s pumpkin patch. There’s something for everyone from 1 to 91 at Mainstay Farm this fall.

Hencho en Fort Worth – 52^nd Annual Gala
September 20
Fort Worth Convention Center

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor individuals and organizations that help to make our community great with the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Mexican Cinema Pop Culture Icons: You’re Missing the Point (Ahí está el detalle)
September 21
Kimbell Art Museum

Immerse yourself in the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema with a showing of You’re Missing the Point (Ahí está el detalle), followed by a post-film panel conversation with experts and community leaders to explore the film’s impact and cultural resonance.

Easy Entertaining: How to Build a Brotzeit Board
September 21
Central Market Cooking School

Move over, plain ol’ charcuterie boards. Enjoy the beloved Bavarian brotzeit, or “bread time” with a delicious board that will appeal to everyone.

Life of Pi
September 23-28
Bass Performance Hall

Based on the bestselling novel, the Tony® and Olivier Award-winning hit Life of Pi is an unforgettable, epic tale of adventure.

Fort Worth Oktoberfest
September 25-27
Trinity Park

Celebrate the best of Bavarian culture with three days of music, food, beer, and the iconic Dachshund Dash.

Cliburn Family Concert: Carnival of the Animals
September 27
Fort Worth Zoo

Where’s the best place to enjoy Saint-Saëns’ The Carnival of the Animals? Why, the Zoo, of course! Two pianists will play selections from The Carnival of the Animals, and the Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors will make appearances throughout.

And finally…

State Fair of Texas
September 26 through October 19
Fair Park, Dallas

“Howdy, folks!” The midway, the animals, the crafts, and the FOOD – all make the State Fair of Texas the largest and most popular state fair in the U.S. “Meet me at Big Tex!”

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Now, almost 120 years later, Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth has been recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals rankings again.

How many of us had our children at Andrews Women’s Hospital? How many of us or our loved ones have received cutting edge treatment and from-the-heart care at the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center? Baylor Scott & White All Saints has been caring for its community for over a century. And now, our hometown hospital has been recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals rankings for the 3^rd consecutive year in a row.

Photo courtesy of Baylor Scott & White

Unlike some other “Best Ofs” and “Nation’s Best” rankings, U.S. News & World Report uses objective data sources, such as Medicare claims and other publicly available data, for their ranking instead of public voting or other methods. U.S. News evaluates 15 specialty areas of care, including cancer care, orthopedics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and cardiology, heart, and vascular surgery.

Baylor Scott & White All Saints has been included in U.S. News & World Report’ regional “metro area” rankings as early as 2011 and consistently as #3 in DFW since the 2023-2024 rankings.

Out of 4500 hospitals evaluated by U.S. News & World Reports for their 2025-2026 rankings, Baylor Scott & White All Saints ranked:

• #13 in Texas
• #3 in Dallas-Fort Worth
• Named to the Best Regional Hospitals list in DFW
• High Performing in 5 specialties (up from 4):
  • Diabetes & Endocrinology (previously nationally ranked #39)
  • Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
  • Geriatrics
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
• High Performing in 9 procedures/conditions (up from 7):
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (new)
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Colon Cancer Surgery
  • Diabetes (new)
  • Heart Arrhythmia (new to USNWR)

To be named a Best Regional Hospital, a hospital must earn at least eight High Performing* ratings out of the 22 evaluated procedures and conditions, have at least five more high Performing ratings than the total number of Evaluated (the lowest tier) ratings it received, and offer a full range of general medical and surgical procedures, as opposed to a specialty hospital.

*To be rated as High Performing in a specialty or procedure, a hospital must be significantly better than the national average in outcomes in that particular specialty or procedure.

So congratulations to our hometown hospital! Baylor Scott & White All Saints – Fort Worth has proven once again that they are a top-tier hospital. Not that there was any doubt!

The post Baylor Scott & White All Saints Recognized Again first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

A Fort Worth native with more than two decades of experience in nonprofit fundraising and community engagement, Deen has a strong track record of driving mission-focused impact across education, conservation, and public health sectors. Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Streams & Valleys as the organization continues to champion the Trinity River’s role as a natural and cultural asset for all residents.

Deen previously held leadership roles at Friends of the Katy Trail in Dallas, where she served as membership and marketing director and later director of operations. In that capacity, she managed the annual fundraising campaign, membership program, day-to-day trail operations, and the Katy 5K—the organization’s largest fundraising event. She also developed collaborative partnerships with businesses and the City of Dallas to support long-term sustainability and public access.

Most recently, Deen served as managing director of development for the Tarrant To and Through Partnership (T3) and chief advancement officer for Texas Center for Arts + Academics, where she helped drive organizational growth, strategic partnerships, and resource development to support youth success across Tarrant County.

“I’m honored to return to my roots and serve a mission so close to my heart,” said Deen. “The Trinity River is one of Fort Worth’s greatest treasures. I look forward to working alongside city leaders, partners, and community members to enhance and protect this vital resource for generations to come.”

Deen assumed her role in August and will lead Streams & Valleys in advancing its mission to steward, advocate for, and promote public use and enjoyment of the Trinity River and trail system.

Founded in 1969, Streams & Valleys has been a driving force behind the development and conservation of the Trinity River and trail system in Fort Worth. Through advocacy, fundraising, and community engagement, the organization works to ensure the Trinity River remains a thriving, accessible, and beloved feature of North Texas.

The post Lauren Deen Named Streams & Valleys’ Executive Director first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

A First-Of-Its-Kind Partnership

The center is the product of a historic collaboration between Cook Children’s Health Care System, JPS Health Network, the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, LVTRise and WestAid Food Pantry, with additional support from Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, Tarrant County College and the Fort Worth Police Department.

Under one roof, neighbors will find:

• Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Center offering pediatric medicine, behavioral health, well-child and sick visit care.
• JPS Health Center offering family medicine, behavioral health, women’s health, social services and
• WestAid on-site food pantry
• A demonstration kitchen staffed by a registered dietitian
• Workforce training program focused on customer service positions in health care
• Community education classes for pregnancy, lactation support, asthma, CPR, injury prevention, parenting support, adult health and more
• A Fort Worth Police storefront

“The collaboration that has gone into this center is what truly makes it so special, and I’m really honored to say that Cook Children’s is a part of it,” said Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children’s Health Care System. “The best part is that the residents have been a huge voice and guiding light in the transformation happening there, even helping us envision and paint a beautiful mural at the new facility. Their fingerprints are all over this project and will continue to guide how we evolve in this space to best serve them.”

Cook Children’s will provide well-child checks, sick care, childhood immunizations, pediatric behavioral health, food and nutrition education, and assistance navigating the health care system and community resources. JPS Health Network will provide family medicine health services, as well as behavioral health, women’s health, social work and more. Although JPS Health Network and Cook Children’s have been Tarrant County mainstays for well over 100 years, this is the first time the two have partnered to offer comprehensive health services in one facility.

“Our private-public partnership with Cook Children’s is historic because it marks the first time two of Tarrant County’s longest serving health care institutions are uniting to serve families under one roof,” said Dr. Karen Duncan, President & CEO of JPS Health Network. “It exemplifies what’s possible when mission-driven organizations unite to remove barriers to care.”

Transforming a Health Care Desert

Ever since Carswell Air Force Base closed in 1993, LVT’s residents have lacked basic, nearby medical services. As a result, thousands of adults and children routinely turn to urgent care and emergency rooms for basic health care.

In 2024, children in two ZIP codes in and near LVT (76116 and 76108) accounted for:

• More than 4,000 visits to Cook Children’s Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centers for primary health care needs.
• 7,000 visits to Cook Children’s Neighborhood Health Centers, none of which are located near

The new health center will serve more than 100,000 people living in and around LVT, including 20,000 children under 14.

A Model for Comprehensive Community Care

The revitalization of LVT has been a focus for the City of Fort Worth since a series of reports published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 2017 highlighted the neighborhood’s growing issues with crime, neglect and growing poverty rates. At the time, the area accounted for 4% of the city’s crime despite accounting for just 1% of the population. A series of community meetings, surveys and grassroots efforts led to the launch of LVTRise, a non-profit dedicated to the revitalization and sustainability of the Las Vegas Trail community, and the Las Vegas Trail Transformation Plan.

“I have seen the great resiliency of the people who call Las Vegas Trail home,” said Michael D. Crain, Fort Worth City Councilmember, District 3. “They care about their future and that of their children. We cannot allow another generation to slip deeper into poverty. The neighborhood health center is a critical step in improving their present and protecting their future through access to desperately needed resources identified in our Las Vegas Trail Transformation Plan, which is full of ideas and recommendations for improvement that came straight from the residents who live there.”

In 2020, the City of Fort Worth opened the RISE Community Center, which serves as the headquarters for LVTRise. The community center provides after-school programming, a library, computer lab, gym and dance room, as well as space for community meetings and events. Now, the neighborhood health center in Las Vegas Trail will be just down the street, conveniently located for families in the neighborhood.

“This project represents a major strategic investment in the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood, demonstrating our commitment to this vital part of our community,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “The partnership between Cook Children’s, JPS, the City of Fort Worth, LVTRise, WestAid, and many others is a groundbreaking model for comprehensive community care. We are establishing a best practice here, and Fort Worth’s innovative approach will be a model for other cities.”

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How many people have heard like this? More than you think.

For nearly 140 years, the good people of the Gladney Center for Adoption have been helping to build families by honoring the legacy of one woman who almost single-handedly changed adoptions in the United States.

Edna Jones came to Fort Worth in 1904 to live with her aunt and uncle. She was not planning on staying in Texas long, but fortunately for so many children, she did. In 1906, an engaged Edna met Sam Gladney, and they eloped two days before Edna was supposed to marry her (now former) fiancé.

Photo courtesy of Gladney Center for Adoption

The Gladneys lived in Wolfe City for a couple of years before settling in Sherman. Sam bought a flour mill, and Edna went to work inspecting local markets and public facilities for cleanliness. During one inspection in rural Grayson County, Edna came across the Grayson County Poor Farm, a dumping ground for the unwanted: people with mental illnesses and disabilities, the physically disabled, the homeless, and unwanted children.

Horrified by the conditions at the Grayson County Poor Farm, Edna helped to remove the children to the Texas Children’s Home and Aid Society in Fort Worth, on whose board Edna served. She also established a free daycare for the children of women working as part of the war effort. It was one of the first daycares in Texas, and the City of Sherman continued to run it until 2008.

When Edna and Sam returned to Fort Worth in 1921, Edna continued to work with the Texas Children’s Home and Aid Society. She was named superintendent of the Texas Children’s Home and Aid Society, a position that she held until 1959. She was a tireless advocate for children and unwed mothers. Through her efforts, Texas led the way in adoption legislation.

Photo courtesy of Gladney Center for Adoption

In 1936, Texas removed the word “illegitimate” from adopted children’s birth certificates. In 1939, Texas passed a law that sealed an adopted child’s original birth certificate and issued a second birth certificate with the child’s name and the names of the adoptive parents. In 1951, adopted children were granted the same inheritance rights as biological children. None of this would have happened without Edna’s lobbying and advocacy.

The Texas Children’s Home and Aid Society bought the West Texas Maternity Hospital in 1950. Now known as the Edna Gladney Home, in recognition of Edna’s tenacity and love, the organization was able to provide pre- and post-natal care for birth mothers and their infants. Edna died in 1961, having changed the lives of countless families.

Photo courtesy of Gladney Center for Adoption

Fast forward half a century, and the Gladney Center for Adoption (the name was changed in 1991) continues to create families through domestic adoptions, international adoptions, and foster adoptions and continues to lead the way in memory of Edna Gladney.

Gladney is licensed in 12 states and 11 countries, and since 2000, has helped the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services place children waiting in the foster care system with loving, forever families.

“We’re in a big growth stage right now,” said Holly Yarborough, Gladney’s Marketing & Communications Manager. “This is such a special place, but so many people here are unaware of how many people Gladney has impacted over the years.”

Photo courtesy of Gladney Center for Adoption

Holly was excited to tell me about their new program for international adoptees. “Kids from domestic adoptions usually know about their birth family, but until now, it’s been hard for kids who were adopted from another country to find out anything about their birth families.”

To change this disparity, Gladney has created the Heritage Experience. Licensed counselors will accompany adopted children and their families to their country of birth. “Adopted children usually get really curious about their roots,” Holly said. “We’re the only adoption agency sending a licensed counselor along on these trips to support our families emotionally. This really is a labor of love, like everything we do here.”

In 2027, the Gladney Center for Adoption will celebrate 140 years of creating loving families. To celebrate, “Project 140” will share 140 stories to celebrate and honor everything that Gladney has accomplished. Adoption has come a long way since Edna Gladney began her life’s work, and Gladney continues to lead the way, ensuring that more children find their families.

Oh, that memory at the beginning? It’s my story.

The first photo ever taken of the author, taken on the way home from Gladney
Photo credit: Robert N. Virden (author’s dad)

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