Roslyn Dawson Thompson Selected as DAYL’s 2019-2020 Liberty Bell Award Recipient

Roslyn (“Ros”) Dawson Thompson is president and CEO of the Texas Women’s Foundation (“TWF”), which is the largest regional women’s fund in the world. During its thirty year history, the TWF has granted more than $30 million to help generate opportunities and solve systemic problems for women and girls throughout North Texas. Ros became involved with TWF as a board member in the 80’s and then, in 2011, she became the fearless leader of the organization. Under her tenure, she has worked tirelessly to implement strategic initiative to impact women’s economic security and leadership capabilities. She has also grown the Foundation’s funds, programming, and grant giving opportunities by 140% to ensure that worthy causes supportive of women receive the support they deserve.

Ros has been a champion for gender equality, using the Foundation as a mechanism to educate policy makers and conduct research to promote “liberty and justice for all.” As noted in her nomination materials, Ros is recognized in the legal community as being an “equalizer in the work force” and leader of “empowerment to and enhanced success of dozens of high performing female attorneys in Dallas.” Specifically, Ros inspired and assisted with the Dallas Bar Association’s  WE LEAD program, which is a year-long leadership development program to address the needs of senior level female attorneys.

Ros has been recognized for four years as D CEO’s Dallas 500, which lists the most influential business, government and nonprofit leaders in North Texas. She also received the 2018 Texas Governor’s Commission for Women Texas Women Economic Empower Award as well as the 2018 Global Goals, Local Leader Award by the United Nations Association. She is known for her advocacy on the issues of women helping other women and focuses her efforts on promoting diversity in the workplace, both through racial and gender diversity. She brings startling facts to life to help business owners and those in power see the need to change the corporate system. Her Foundation’s research shows that Texas Women earn just 77 cents for every dollar that Texas men earn and that thirty percent of Texas households are female-headed but they represent fifty-three percent of all households living in poverty. These statistics are then used to generate change and policy to create solutions. This is why Ros is recognized as a leader and game-changer inside and outside our legal community.

For these reasons, Ros Dawson Thompson was selected as the 2019-2020 DAYL Liberty Bell Award recipient.