Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2011 > June > 25 > Entry
Boyd Vance Awards at Green Pastures
Machree Gibson says she didn’t realize she was growing up among giants. When the lobbyist and new president of Texas Exes was very young, she lived right next to the Delcos, Akinses and Andersons, not recognizing they were already role models in the civic, business and educational communities. They also blazed civil rights trails in Austin.
Ada Collins Anderson and Mary Lou Adams
Among the most revered today is Ada Collins Anderson. This beautiful, stylish woman helped shape the future of health, education, criminal justice and civil rights here. She also continues to act as a tireless supporter of the arts, especially as they relate to young people who might not otherwise enjoy exposure to them.
Jacinto and Vanessa Andry
Gibson introduced Anderson at Green Pastures, where ProArts Collective recognized her with the Boyd Vance Award for the Advancement of the Arts. Gibson could have spent all afternoon listing Anderson’s achievements. She concentrated on a few, including her induction into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame.
Machree Gibson and Judge Eric Shepperd
Decorated for high tea, the restaurant’s ballroom was filled with summer finery, including some fanciful hats. Among those making adoring remarks were ProArts board president Michael Bryant, the group’s executive director Lisa Byrd, and Judge Eric Shepperd, who served as a steady-handed emcee. Shelton Kirby III played historically appropriate music on the grand piano. Just about every public official in town sent proclamations to honor Anderson.
On more than one occasion, it was mentioned that Green Pastures always served African Americans, though it was opened in the heyday of segregation in 1945. I think the Koock family, who ran the restaurant from their former home, and Vance, the awards namesake who founded ProArts, would applaud the symbolism.
Correction: In an earlier version of this post, the Delcos and Akinses names were misspelled.
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