In 1970, NCJW Dallas innovated and started funding the first county jail social worker’s salary. In 1971, we initiated the first NCJW Summit meeting in Israel, which included dinner with Golda Meir at the Knesset. Past-president Katherine Bauer, had the honor to represent NCJW Dallas.

During 1972-1973, NCJW sponsored a daylong seminar -“Justice for Children” – where at least thirty Dallas community service organizations – sponsoers and participants discussed creative use of volunteers. Judge Justine Wise Polier, a New York Family Court Judge was the keynote speaker.

Between 1974-1976 NCJW Dallas held an advisory role with the Committee for the Smooth Transition that guided Dallas Independent School District’s implementation of desegregation policies.

The Community Service marshalled several new initiatives, including The Consumer Alliance Project, day care staff training, Elder Artisan Program (Texas Collectable), the Family Outreach Center, and Community Board Institute.

NCJW Dallas help In Search of Safer Senior Years: A Workshop Against Crime, which led to the publishing and the dissemination of 150,000 “Yardsticks” with telephone numbers and helpful information for senior safety.

During this period, The Working Parents: Concerns and Choices forum celebrated the Bicentennial Year. Co-sponsored by Child Care ’76 of Greater Dallas and the Texas State Department of Public Welfare (DPS), the event featured former White House Press Secretary Liz Carpenter as a keynote speaker.

Notably, in 1976, NCJW Dallas received two prestigious awards: the Texas Department of Public Welfare, recognized our effort on behalf of its clients, and Eastfield College praised our Day Care Staff Training Program.

In order to hold a forum on Status Offenders in Washington D.C., in May 1976, NCJW Dallas awarded a $6,000 grant, which was matched by the Law Enforcement Agency. To follow up, we organized a second forum in Dallas in December that accelareted the formation of the Texas Coalition for Juvenile Justice.

In 1979, NCJW Dallas hosted the 33rd NCJW National Biennial Convention, where over 300 local volunteers participated. A resolution on “gun control” was so controversial that doors were locked to prevent delegates from leaving the session. We also helped organize the Women’s Issues Network and provided the first funding for Family Place, a refuge for victims of domestic violence.

In 1979, NCJW Dallas launched Foster Child Advocate Services (FOCAS) to provide intensive training for volunteers. Now an independent agency, DALLAS CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) serves children in placement through Family Court.

Presidents:

1970-1972 Katherine Bauer*
1972-1974 Janet Newberger*
1974-1976 Bette Miller*
1976-1978 Betty Dreyfus*
1978-1980 Sylvia Lynn Benenson

* of blessed memory