April 29, 2005

CIVIC LEADER LINDA PITTS CUSTARD
RECEIVES 2005 MAURA AWARD FROM SMU APRIL 28

Linda Pitts Custard (center) with SMU President R. Gerald Turner and 2005 Maura Awards chair Tegwin Dyer Pulley (click image for high-resolution version).

DALLAS (SMU) -- Linda Pitts Custard, businesswoman and benefactor for arts and education in Dallas, was honored with a 2005 Maura Award, presented by Southern Methodist University April 28 at the Pavilion at the Belo Mansion in Dallas.

Custard has made a career of expressing her interests in philanthropy, arts and education for the benefit of women and girls in Dallas. A general partner in Custard/Pitts Land & Cattle, she has shared her business skills with many organizations across the city. Custard is an SMU trustee as well as a life trustee of The Hockaday School. Since 1983, she has been a key advocate for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, holding multiple leadership roles. Her support and activism are perhaps most notable in the field of the arts. Almost every artistic entity in Dallas has been enhanced by her involvement, including fundraising for special projects, redefining volunteer roles and formulating long-range plans.

Established in 1978 by the Women's Center of Dallas, the annual Maura Awards recognize "those who have made extraordinary contributions to the success and wellbeing of women and children in the Dallas community."

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Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas with more than 10,000 students and offering degree programs through seven schools. More information about SMU is available at www.smu.edu.