DBE is a Non-Profit,
Non-Political Organization
© 2000 - 2011 DBE Texas.
All Rights Reserved.
Non-Political Organization
© 2000 - 2011 DBE Texas.
All Rights Reserved.
"Not ourselves
but the cause"
but the cause"
The DBE in Texas was started in October of 1948 with the first chapter called Edith Cavell.
(There had been a chapter in El Paso during the first World War, but they did not join the
covenant of the National Society in 1920 and faded away.) All the chapters that were formed
for the next 15 years or so were in the Houston area. Membership was in the 70 to 100
member range for much of this time. Then in the mid-sixties the DBE really began to grow in
Texas. Chapters were formed in Dallas and San Antonio in 1966 followed by El Paso and San
Angelo. Many more chapters were formed in the Houston area during this time as well,
including the first Junior Chapter, Brython, made up of high school age girls, mostly
daughters of members. Membership jumped into the 300's and eventually grew to a high of
598 in 1989. There are currently 379 members in Texas in the Houston area, Greater
Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater San Antonio, Austin, San Angelo and El Paso.
Texas is proud of its contributions on the National level. We have been the headquarter state of the National Board twice, the first time from 1971 to 1974 under the leadership of Denny Withers MBE (18th Administration) and now (2007-2010) under the leadership of Joan Gol MBE (30th Administration). We have hosted the National Convention 6 times (1964, 1972, 1973, 1985, 1997, and 2009). Five of our members have served as Southern District Organizer -Ellen Stirton MBE, Denny Withers MBE, Josie Toogood, Margaret Townsend, and Shirley Bailey.
Being a part of the Southern District we originally supported Bramfilles House in Florida. When laws and finances required that Home to close, Texas took on the huge responsibility of orchestrating the building of a new Home for the Southern District. Mountbatten House opened in 1983 with rooms for 16 residents. In the 1990's, the Home was expanded to its current size of 24 rooms. Mountbatten House has quite a large Board of Directors and the majority of members come from the Houston area with some people serving continuously for over 10 years in various positions. Truly a dedicated group of women!
The DBE in Texas can rightfully be proud of its monetary support of Mountbatten House as well. All Chapters have been faithful supporters of the Home, sending in donations every year - more than a million dollars!! The combined Houston area Bazaar is now in its 37th year. Over $100,000 has been donated from this event alone. Other fund raisers include teas, Beetle Drives, the San Antonio area bazaar, garage sales, Taste of Britain in San Angelo, movie premiers, cruises, Bunko nights, Spouses suppers, pool parties, sales of British or DBE themed merchandise and so on. Many local charities have benefited from our fundraisers as well, in all our communities. Just a few of them are: the Salvation Army, K-9 Police Dog unit for Houston PD, Dallas Welfare Department, Faith in Action- Caregivers, and Visitation House.
Over the years, we have been privileged to have the opportunity to meet with members of the Royal Family. In 1967, Princess Alexandra was in Houston, and at a tea at the Warwick Hotel, all 111 members of the DBE in Texas were presented to her. Princess Anne came to Houston in 1982 and unveiled the name for the new Home. Prince Charles has visited the Houston area twice. The second time was in 1986 when he made a special visit to Mountbatten House, named for a favorite uncle. HM Queen Elizabeth paid a state visit in 1991 and visited many cities in Texas at that time.
It has also been the pleasure of the DBE in the Houston area to provide hospitality to Royal Navy vessels docked at the Port of Houston, as well as to assist Commonwealth citizens, who have come to the world-renowned Texas Medical Center for surgery, with housing and transportation.
Texas is proud of its contributions on the National level. We have been the headquarter state of the National Board twice, the first time from 1971 to 1974 under the leadership of Denny Withers MBE (18th Administration) and now (2007-2010) under the leadership of Joan Gol MBE (30th Administration). We have hosted the National Convention 6 times (1964, 1972, 1973, 1985, 1997, and 2009). Five of our members have served as Southern District Organizer -Ellen Stirton MBE, Denny Withers MBE, Josie Toogood, Margaret Townsend, and Shirley Bailey.
Being a part of the Southern District we originally supported Bramfilles House in Florida. When laws and finances required that Home to close, Texas took on the huge responsibility of orchestrating the building of a new Home for the Southern District. Mountbatten House opened in 1983 with rooms for 16 residents. In the 1990's, the Home was expanded to its current size of 24 rooms. Mountbatten House has quite a large Board of Directors and the majority of members come from the Houston area with some people serving continuously for over 10 years in various positions. Truly a dedicated group of women!
The DBE in Texas can rightfully be proud of its monetary support of Mountbatten House as well. All Chapters have been faithful supporters of the Home, sending in donations every year - more than a million dollars!! The combined Houston area Bazaar is now in its 37th year. Over $100,000 has been donated from this event alone. Other fund raisers include teas, Beetle Drives, the San Antonio area bazaar, garage sales, Taste of Britain in San Angelo, movie premiers, cruises, Bunko nights, Spouses suppers, pool parties, sales of British or DBE themed merchandise and so on. Many local charities have benefited from our fundraisers as well, in all our communities. Just a few of them are: the Salvation Army, K-9 Police Dog unit for Houston PD, Dallas Welfare Department, Faith in Action- Caregivers, and Visitation House.
Over the years, we have been privileged to have the opportunity to meet with members of the Royal Family. In 1967, Princess Alexandra was in Houston, and at a tea at the Warwick Hotel, all 111 members of the DBE in Texas were presented to her. Princess Anne came to Houston in 1982 and unveiled the name for the new Home. Prince Charles has visited the Houston area twice. The second time was in 1986 when he made a special visit to Mountbatten House, named for a favorite uncle. HM Queen Elizabeth paid a state visit in 1991 and visited many cities in Texas at that time.
It has also been the pleasure of the DBE in the Houston area to provide hospitality to Royal Navy vessels docked at the Port of Houston, as well as to assist Commonwealth citizens, who have come to the world-renowned Texas Medical Center for surgery, with housing and transportation.
Expanded History