L-R, Joyce Gibson Roach, James Ward Lee, and Frances B. Vick in 2015
While we deeply appreciate and recognize service and valuable contributions of volunteers, our leaders, and our staff to the Society, we reserve the title "Fellow" for a few rare folks. Contributions by these individuals include promotion of the Society, recruiting members, fundraising, giving outstanding papers, writing for our publications, mentoring new members, and serving on our board.
When John Avery Lomax and L.W. Payne, Jr., were honored in 1941, it was said "In order to honor individuals who have done outstanding work for the Texas Folk-Lore Society and in the field of Texas and Southwestern folk-lore, the Society voted to make John A. Lomax and L. W. Payne, Jr., Fellows, it being understood that other names may from time to time be elected to the list." (Abernethy, The Texas Folklore Society, 1909-1943, Volume I, p263).
In January 2022, the board of directors announced that Jim Harris, Mary Harris, and Jean Granberry Schnitz were to be recognized as Fellows of Texas Folklore Society. Unfortunately, with the cancellation of the in-person annual meeting in 2022, we realized that we will have to wait to make our public presentation to them at our next in-person meeting--hopefully 2023! The recognition of these folks brings the number of fellows to fifteen, as follows: