The League of Women Voters of Dallas Education Fund
is pleased to announce the selection of
Virginia Bulkley Whitehill
as the 2008 recipient of the
Susan B. Anthony Award
In response to the statement that landing on the moon was "one giant step for mankind," Virginia Bulkley Whitehill says, "I am here to declare that winning the vote was a monumental giant step for womankind!" Ginny heard first-hand stories of that achievement from her mother Myrtle Bales Bulkley, a suffragist and charter member of the League of Women Voters. Well inspired, Ginny has exercised her right to vote and led an extraordinary life of civic activism.
From trailblazing as a Girl Scout to mentoring young women today, Ginny has been an iconic volunteer leader. Best known as a champion of women's rights, she co-founded the Dallas Women's Coalition, Women's Issues Network, Dallas Women's Foundation, The Family Place (the first Dallas shelter for battered women), Women's Southwest Credit Union, Dallas Women's Political Caucus, Texans for Motherhood by Choice (later TARAL), and the Women's Equity Action League.
In addition, she has served on numerous boards including the League of Women Voters of Dallas, Women's Council of Dallas County, Friends of SMU Libraries (DeGolyer Library Archives of Women of the Southwest), Planned Parenthood of Dallas, National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), and National Network of Women's Funds. She is an avid supporter of The Women's Museum at Fair Park and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Dallas. This year she celebrates 50 years of devoted membership and service to the League of Women Voters.
Her endless contributions to the advancement of women are represented by a stellar array of awards. They include the Texas Trailblazer Award, Leadership America Alum, Woman of Courage Award, Women Helping Women Maura Award, Champion of Choice Award, Profiles in Leadership Award, Women of Excellence Award, Woman of Spirit Award, Distinguished Service Award of the Dallas Women's Council Good Gal award from the Texas Women's Political Caucus, and last but not least, the League of Women Voters of Dallas Myrtle Bulkley Award for Outstanding Service.
A Distinguished Alumna of Mount Holyoke College, Ginny became a transplanted New Yorker in 1960 when she moved to Dallas with her husband, the late James Whitehill, an enthusiastic supporter of her work. During the quiescent `50s, Ginny wasn't sure that one little woman could do much to improve the human condition outside her family arena. Yet, she started asking herself, "If not me... who?" And, gradually, through affiliations large and small, she began to act, deciding to "bloom where you are planted" in Dallas' wonderfully rich soil.
Ginny is the mother of two daughters, Patricia and Margaret, and the grandmother of Jillian Whitehill Abbey, who just turned 18 and, of course, became a registered voter!
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League of Women Voters of Dallas, Texas. All rights reserved.
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