Photo by Carol Toler.

The Lake Highlands Junior Women’s League is celebrating its 20th anniversary and marking 20 years helping young women establish relationships in the neighborhood while making a positive impact on the people and places around them.

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The group was founded in 2004 by six Lake Highlands High School graduates whose families had long been pillars of the community. Most early joiners had mothers or mothers-in-laws who had served for decades in the Lake Highlands Women’s League, raising funds and volunteering their talents to boost neighborhood schools and nonprofits.

Jump ahead two decades and the “junior” moniker hardly fits. The impact of LHJWL volunteers is felt in every corner of our community while the league stands proudly — and boldly — on its own 250 feet. Current members now total 125, and the group has given back more than $1 million to fund projects including the all-inclusive playground at Flag Pole Hill Park, a children’s area at the Audelia Road Branch Library, boulevard banners to advertise community events, amenities at the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center including colorful tile murals and the Wildcat Fun Zone, and improvements to the park outside the rec center including a one-mile trail loop, Splash Pad, pond restoration, play art sculptures and a playground at Fieldcrest Park. They also host an annual back-to-school supply drive and a Holiday Angel Tree to provide for students in need.

Sarah Gross Graham, Sarah Walne Hefton, Lynn Strawn Davenport, Amy Strawn Moore, Cary Baggett Woodall and Meredith Floyd Mosley made up the six founding members. As the group’s first president, Mosley says she quickly realized they were building something special.

“We started LHJWL to create a way for all young women who love LH — whether you just moved in or have lived your entire life here — to get involved, make connections with other women and focus on beautification of the neighborhood. One of my favorite memories is the excitement at the meeting which the founders had with (LHWL past-president and former Dallas Park Board president) Joan Walne, as we shared our dreams and vision for the organization and gained her wisdom on how LHJWL could be a vital part of the community.”

Hefton says it’s the community’s rich history of service and long-lasting relationships that make Lake Highlands unique. Besides her mom, Joan, her late grandmother, Frances Walne, was an active member of LHWL. Alan and Robert Walne, her father and brother, have both been leaders in the Exchange Club.

“It takes all of our community groups — Exchange Club, LHWL, PTAs — to help continue to make Lake Highlands the best place to live, work and educate our children.  Our community groups work wonderfully together — each serving in their own unique ways. My takeaway is what a special place Lake Highlands is, and how important it is to give back to my community in every stage of life.”

Stephani Walne, daughter-in-law to Joan and daughter of the late Eileen Smith, another LHWL member, served as president in 2012-13. She says she jumped at the chance to join the group and “give back to the community that raised” her.

“LHJWL is where you first jump in to be a part of the LH community as an adult. Those new friendships throughout my 20s still bring a smile to my face, and I’m so thankful they are still women I can call with anything.”

Sarah Matthiesen’s husband, Kyle, is an LHHS grad with lots of friends still in the community, but she began looking for a way to form her own ties after moving to Dallas from Louisiana. She was at the helm when COVID-19 hit and says she’s proud of the way her team rose to the challenge.

“We all know that year is when everything changed for all of us. We were able to raise over $80,000 to partner with Imagine Dallas and Café Momentum to help feed food insecure families in Lake Highlands on the weekends during the pandemic. The way the league and the community rallied around this pivot was truly touching.”

Aron Northington McDonald has lived in Lake Highlands since the fifth grade and knew she wanted to be part of LHJWL, but taking on the role of president felt outside her comfort zone. She appreciates the way the group equips young women to lead with confidence.

“I was encouraged by the president before me that it was a safe space of like-minded women and urged to give leading a try,” she recalls. “I remember going down the directory calling people to serve with me, including some I didn’t know at all. Once we got started, I leaned heavily on our board and their talents and had such a grateful heart that they signed up to help.”

Over the past 20 years, LHJWL volunteers have created signature community events, such as their Run for the Highlands fundraiser in April and Light Up the Highlands, held the first Sunday in December. Both gatherings draw hundreds of families — not just to raise money, but to spend time together as a community. The women say taking time for fellowship is all part of the plan.

As she thinks back on her years in LHJWL, Shannon McCracken alternates between focused and funny. She’s proud of the impact the women have had on projects and people, but she also remembers lots of laughing.

“Some of my favorite memories include learning to play mahjong, making lifelong friends and, of course, the time the Christmas tree didn’t light up at Light Up the Highlands,” jokes McCracken, who grew up visiting the horse stables in White Rock Valley.

She led LHJWL in 2022-23 when the wheelchair swing was installed on the all-accessible playground at Flag Pole Hill.

“I’m the type of person who says yes and asks questions later,” she says. “The weight of the role really sank in when I saw board and league members dedicating their time, money and talents to our community. Our relationships with local organizations and community members have been nurtured over 20 years, creating a strong foundation of advocacy and trust that extends far beyond our individual projects.”

McCracken appreciates the wide range of knowledge and skills brought by each individual member. There’s no greater reward than witnessing the impact of their collective efforts, she says.

“Our group uniquely manages every project’s life cycle from start to finish, ensuring attention to detail along the way. Originating from the Women’s League, we’ve thrived under their guidance, fostering rich connections and smooth transitions between projects. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the challenges our neighborhood faces and how important it is to work together to create positive change. I’ve also developed lasting friendships and a sense of purpose, which I’ll carry forward as I continue to serve and advocate for our community.”

Jacy and Brian Russell married in 2009 and purchased their Lake Highlands home the week of their wedding knowing only one other couple in the neighborhood. Before long, she was rolling up her sleeves at various league events and recognizing faces — and friends — all over town.

“I have always loved being part of different groups that give back and make a difference, and I loved what the LHJWL was about,” says Russell, who led the group when Light Up the Highlands was founded 10 years ago. “I walked away from my time as member and president of LHJWL with friends in the community I would have never met otherwise, as well as an appreciation for our amazing community and women who are dedicated to making a lasting impact on Lake Highlands and leaving a legacy for generations to come.”

LHJWL is designed with busy young women in mind, she says, and “the idea is to have a large impact with a minimal time commitment so that it fits the needs of women who have careers, young children and are a part of other groups and organizations.”

“If you’ve been thinking of joining LHJWL, do it,” urges Kathleen Kurzejeski, last year’s president. “I am so grateful when I walk into my children’s middle school and know so many women from other neighborhoods. We make a big city feel small.”

Light Up the Highlands will celebrate its tenth anniversary Sunday, December 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 7100 Wildcat Way in the Lake Highlands Town Center. All events are family-friendly, and children of all ages are welcome. Activities, which are stroller and wheelchair accessible, include Photos with Santa, ice skating, snow luge, bounce house, hot chocolate station, Christmas market, face painting and balloon artists. Cane Rosso’s food truck will offer pizzas for $13, and the Reverse Food Truck, an outreach of NorthPark Presbyterian Church, will collect donations. Admission is free.