Celebrating its 34th Year benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden
The scene was set with anticipation as Stanley Korshak hosted the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party 2022 Reveal. The bubbly flowed as Stanley Korshak representative Martha Leonard welcomed Claire Catrino, chair of Mad Hatter’s Tea Party 2022 and Lisa Loy Laughlin, president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, along with board members, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party former chairs and supporters.
Lisa said she is honored to serve as president of the Women’s Council and shared that the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party benefits A Woman’s Garden, which is the only garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women and will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in the Fall of 2022. With a heartfelt smile, Lisa said that she has known her dear friend Cile McCormick for years and her daughter Claire Catrino, since she was a little girl. With profound pride, Lisa introduced Claire as the chair of Mad Hatter’s Tea Party 2022, celebrating its 34th year.
Claire gave details about the upcoming event, reminding everyone to mark their calendars for Wednesday, April 20, 2022 and join in the fun at the Dallas Arboretum’s Ginsburg Plaza and inside at Rosine Hall, highlighting styles of the spring season presented by Tootsie’s featured in a fashion show produced by Jan Strimple.
The first big reveal moment arrived as Lisa introduced longtime friend Laurie Sands Harrison as the honorary chair. Laurie’s family has a rich Dallas history. It was absolutely appropriate that this announcement took place at Stanley Korshak, located in the Crescent Court, which her mother, the late Caroline Rose Hunt, built as part of her visionary development of Uptown, including The Mansion on Turtle Creek. As Claire joined Lisa at the podium, they drew back the cover of the poster announcing the 2022 theme Dallas with a resounding round of applause filling the room. The artwork portrays Dallas icons created by Lisa’s sister, Laura Loy Capps. With cheers and smiles all around, everyone was already discussing the creative possibilities for their Mad Hatter’s Tea Party fashions and hats.
Guests travel from all over the United States, planning their trips to Dallas not only to take part in the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – many in wild and wonderful over-the-top hats - but to view the glorious springtime azalea displays and flowers that grace the Dallas Arboretum.
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Dallas begins with a champagne reception where celebrity hat judges choose winners in various categories as they stroll the red carpet. After the winners are announced, a fashion show is presented followed by an elegant and lovely tea. Calvert Collins is Mistress of Ceremonies. Media sponsor is My Sweet Charity.
Underwriting, sponsorships and individual tickets will be available soon. Check the website at www.wcdabg.org for details on the hat judges and hat categories announcements to be announced early 2022.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S COUNCIL: Since 1986 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. The support of over 500 members of the Women’s Council makes possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. www.wcdabg.org
ABOUT A WOMAN’S GARDEN: Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in Fall of 2022: A Woman’s Garden is the only garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women. Ablaze with color in every season, A Woman’s Garden sits majestically as a living testament to the passion and vision of the Women’s Council founders and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design. Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion and unwavering commitment of the women who came before us and those entrusted with its care now, and into the future.
ENDOWMENT TRUST HISTORY: In May 1995 the Women’s Council broke ground on Phase I of A Woman’s Garden. On October 4, 1997, Phase I of A Woman’s Garden opened to the public. Just three years later in 2000, the Women’s Council met its obligation to fund the $1.5 million endowment trust to support the ongoing maintenance of Phase I. In August 2021 the Women’s Council met its obligation four years ahead of schedule to complete the funding of the $1.6 million endowment trust to support the ongoing maintenance of Phase II of A Woman’s Garden.
Photos by Dana Driensky