The Fortunate 500: Charity and education stars

People who socialize to benefit charities and education

By Jane Greig
May 12, 2005

Photo by Kelly West/AA-S ADA ANDERSON charity/arts/education/politics
THE FORTUNATE 500
All stars	Art stars
Music stars	Education/Charity stars
Food stars	Literary/Media stars
Heritage stars	Film stars
Business/High Tech stars	Politics/Law stars
Sports stars	Fashion stars
Part-time Austinites

Public activist. Civic leader. Social doyenne. Octogenarian Ada Anderson has built an impressive résumé.

What brings this mother, grandmother and author of a master's thesis titled "Race and Ethnic Origin as a Determinant of Acceptability for Employment in Austin, Texas" to social events such as A Seat of Honor at Carver Museum on June 12? "I enjoy it -- seeing people I work with, and visiting!" Anderson says.

Socializing comes with a more serious agenda. At the Carver Museum event, "I will be sipping champagne and helping to involve the African American community in supporting the Long Center for the Performing Arts," Anderson says.

Her support for the arts in Austin is tangible -- Austin Lyric Opera, Austin Museum of Art, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Long Center. Most notably, Anderson founded LEAP, Leadership Enrichment for the Arts Program, which provides African American and minority youths with exposure to the arts.

Who is this force for positive change?

Anderson, a Travis County native, attended the then-segregated L.C. Anderson High School, received her bachelor's degree in home economics in 1941 from Tillotson College and a master's degree in educational psychology from the University of Texas. Anderson and husband Andy opened a real estate business in the early 1950s, Anderson/Wormley Real Estate. For many years, it was the only black-owned real estate firm in town. The couple also cobbled together a coalition of local businesses in the 1960s that became the City of Austin Human Relations Commission. "That was a wonderful, positive experience," Anderson says.

Why contribute time to the arts and social gatherings that benefit everyone? "It is a passion," Anderson says. "Plus, you can never tell what will happen at these events."

What event would Anderson like to see added to the local social calendar? Something like what the Five-A (the African American Art Advisory Association) at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston does, says Anderson: have a gala and raise money each year to buy one wonderful piece of art by an African American artist for a museum's permanent collection. Is there room in Austin for another benefit? Anderson says why not? Her mantra: "All of these public institutions belong to all of us, so enjoy and support them."

More charity and education stars

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