Awards for Excellence
39th AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE CELEBRATION HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 2021
The annual gala is slated to return to the newly renovated Hall of State in Fair Park
(DALLAS, TEXAS, December 10, 2020) Ongoing COVID conditions are preventing the Dallas Historical Society from appropriately hosting, recognizing, and celebrating our Awardees for Excellence in Community Service and organizational supporters. Consequently, the Dallas Historical Society has made the decision to postpone the 39th Awards for Excellence in Community Service originally set for February 18, 2021.
Although we regret cancelling this date, the Dallas Historical Society’s Awards for Excellence in Community Service will return November 2021, exact date TBA. A full celebration of our honorees and acknowledgement of our supporters is central to the event. In these challenging times, when we wish everyone to be mindful of the safety of their interactions, we do not feel that all of these goals are simultaneously possible. Our task ahead is to work with board members, sponsors and community partners to determine the best options for the new date. We will communicate updated plans as soon as possible.
We look forward to celebrating our award recipients at a safe and exciting event, sponsored by Pegasus Bank. Until then, seasons greetings and we will see you in the new year
List of 30th AFE Recipients
The Dallas Historical Society proudly announces the 2020 Awardees for Awards for Excellence in Community Service. The 39th Annual Awards for Excellence event will take place at the newly renovated Hall of State in Fair Park.
The event celebrates “history makers of today” who are making significant contributions to Dallas’ quality of life, providing innovation, guidance and support in categories such as Arts Leadership, Education, Health/Sciences, History, Humanities, Philanthropy and more. The complete list of recipients are as follows:
Arts Leadership
Gayle Halperin
Honored for her commitment to the arts as an advocate, leader, administrator, mentor, and philanthropist, making Dallas a richer environment for all.
Creative Arts
Jonathan Norton
Honored for his work as a homegrown, nationally recognized playwright whose rich characters and stories are inspired by growing up in Dallas.
Education
Catherine LeBlanc
Honored for her dedication to education through her Catch Up and Read program which trains primary school teachers in new and effective reading techniques.
Health/Sciences
Agape Clinic
Honored for providing free medical care to the medically underserved of Dallas for almost 40 years.
History
Nancy McCoy
Honored for her extensive work as a preservation architect in the commercial, cultural, residential, parks, and educational sectors.
Humanities
Alessandra Comini
Honored for her accomplishments as an art historian, lecturer, author, and professor for more than 40 years.
Philanthropy
Diane Bumpas
Honored for celebrating Texas state history and Dallas heritage through her generosity of time, effort, and contributions.
Volunteer Leadership
Rene Martinez
Honored for his long-term dedication to the betterment of Dallas through his accomplishments as an educator, political, and civic leader.
The Jubilee History Maker Award
The Jubilee History Maker Award is bestowed on an individual whose gifts of self-have enhanced the quality of life in Dallas in more than one category of civic leadership. The 2020 Jubilee award will be presented to Cece Cox, recognized for her leadership and advocacy in the LGBTQ community through her tireless commitment to civil rights for over 30 years.
PAST RECIPIENTS
CLICK HERE for a list of past recipients.
Presenting Sponsor:
