Winner | Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award

A longtime Dallas resident and civic volunteer, Lindalyn Bennett Adams is known for her passion for history and preservation and her strong influence on Dallas, spreading and elevating awareness throughout the United States. As the founder of the Sixth Floor Museum, Linda Lynn's tireless efforts over 13 years led to the transformation of the Texas School Book Depository into her Sixth Floor Museum, a major historical exhibit documenting the history of the assassination of President John F. It has come true. Kennedy objectively, accurately, and professionally. At the time, Lindalin was the chair of the Dallas Historical Commission and initiated efforts to install exhibits at the former Texas School Book Depository. She was instrumental in founding the Dallas County Historical Foundation, her 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that currently operates the museum. She currently serves as Chair Emeritus of the Sixth Floor Museum. Although faced with many obstacles, including her initial lack of support, Lindalyn stuck with her plans and ensured that the project was not only completed, but successful. She became president of the Dallas County Historical Foundation, which was created to raise funds for the $3.5 million museum and oversee its operations. In 1989, Lindalin's patient fight for support resulted in an exhibition that now attracts 450,000 visitors a year.

Lindalyn was also instrumental in the renovation and opening in May 2007 of the Dallas County Museum of History and Culture, located in the Old Red Courthouse. She has been a champion of the Old Red Courthouse since her dedication of the Texas Historical Marker in 1978. She was President of the Friends of Old Red for her ten years. She is a Lifetime Director Emeritus of the Dallas Heritage Village and a Lifetime Director of the Dallas Historical Society. She is an advisory director for Children's Medical Center. Other current boards include the Friends of Texas Historical Commission. Leukemia, Texas. Dallas Opera Women's Committee, Advisory Board. Dallas Performing Arts Center's President's Council and SMU's Southwest Women's Archives.

She has also dedicated her time and talents as president of many organizations.

SMU Alumni Association, Dallas Opera Women's Committee, Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, Dallas County Heritage Society's Old City Park, Dallas Historical Society, Friends of Fair Park, Senior Source. She has chaired the Crystal Charity Ball, the Junior League of Dallas Ball, Neiman Marcus Fortnite, the Linz Prize Luncheon, the Spirit of Generations Luncheon, and the Dallas County Historical Commission, and her Under the leadership of the Dallas Commission, the Dallas Commission. A record number of awards from the Texas Historical Commission. She is one of her three founders of La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas, which benefits the Park City and Highland Park school districts.

Lindalyn was deeply involved in the medical world, including as the spouse of the late Dr. Reuben H. Adams, Jr., who served for many years as chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor University Medical Center, and as president of the University of Dallas. When the County Medical Society Alliance acquired Historic Aldridge House, the only Alliance in the country to have its own headquarters. She also served as president of the Medical Center Women's Club and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Faculty Women's Club.

Her tireless efforts on behalf of her community have earned her such prestigious awards as the Lindt Award, Southern Methodist University's Distinguished Alumni Award, and Highland Park High School's Distinguished Alumni Award. Lindalyn is the second of only three people to receive the prestigious Dallas Junior League Lifetime Achievement Award, an award given only every five years to a sustaining member for outstanding contributions to the community. be. Lindalyn also received the Ruth Lester Award, the highest award given by the Texas Historical Commission. Additionally, she is a three-time recipient of the Texas Outstanding County Historical Commissioner Award. She received the President's Award from the Texas Museum Association and the Ima Hogg Award from the University of Texas Center for American History for her historic preservation. She was named Dallas Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year by the National Association of Fundraisers. She also received the Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas Renaissance Award. The Dallas Historical Society, Dallas County Heritage Society, and Dallas Preservation Society have all recognized her with major awards.

As the Director of Development for the Baylor Health Care System Foundation, Lindalyn coordinates the Baylor Health Care System Foundation's Celebrating Women Luncheon. Under her leadership, this work to benefit breast cancer research has grown from her $125,000 in revenue in 2000 to her more than $1.3 million in 2005.

Lindalyn Adams and the late Reuben H. Adams, Jr., MD, met at Southern Methodist University and were married for 51 years. They have three sons, Richard, Charlie, and Bill Adams, two adorable daughters-in-law, Alice Adams and Andrea Adams, Megan, Mackenzie, Lindsey, Chase, Kristen, Carlton, William, and Grace Marie. , and nine grandchildren, Annaliese Adams. .