In 1963, three pioneers of Farmers Branch, Texas, determined to give women a greater opportunity to serve and improve their community, decided to form an organization of workers, large enough to make a difference in their city and yet small enough to get to know each other.  Romona Upfield, Anna Leslie Richardson and Glenna Grimmer set the structure and wrote the rules; most of which are still in force today.  Everyone would serve on a committee, attend meetings, and support projects financially.  They gradually brought in a cap of 50 members, and their financial donations gave them a good start.  Their first fundraiser would be a benefit ball for the spring of 1964.   Patron fundraising would be needed however.  The first patron was Anna Leslie's husband, Shelby, president of the only bank in town (Central Bank - now First City Bank).  The Ball raised $500 to put in a sprinkler system in the local Don Showman Park.  The Civic League was formed.

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The second Ball in 1965 netted $1,000 which purchased violas for the school district's music department.  The annual benefit balls continued and broadened participation to nearby cities of Carrollton and Addison, TX.  Our annual Holiday Home Tours were added in 1995 which greatly impacted our fundraising efforts allowing The Civic League to give back more than $3,000,000 since inception.

 

Both Romona and Glenna agreed that they had no idea this organization would become so important to their communities.  As a result of much hard work, funds are given to where they are needed most, with the added enjoyable benefit of developing long and lasting friendships.