Our Story
In the summer of 2013, Rachaele Andrews began working for Diane Stow as her intern at Fort Worth Magazine. Shortly after Rachaele completed her internship, Diane asked to meet Rachaele’s mother. It was then that I met Diane for the first time and she invited me to join her on a community fundraising committee. After serving as a committee member for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign, I was asked to serve as a co-chair for a domestic violence awareness fundraiser. My co-chair “Nada Ruddock” and our stellar committee helped raise over $200,000 for the cause.
Out of this team of passionate diverse women, some who had never met and worked together before, we truly bonded as friends. We realized that we wanted to continue working together to serve our community since each of us had been touched by our dear, sweet, special friend, Diane Stow Ayres.
In January 2017, we decided to mentor women and assist them in making their dreams become a reality. We inspired ourselves by calling ourselves the” Dream Team” as we pondered our mission. On April 13, 2017, we voted on our mission statement:
A vanguard committed to mentoring and empowering women through friendships, support, education, and community resources.
Subsequent to our mission, we sought approval from our dear friend, Diane, to use her name in the title of our organization. She was very honored about our gesture. On April 28, 2017, we secured our name, Friends of Diane Inc., with the State of Texas. On August 25, 2017, this organization became a 501(c)(3). This is a not for profit organization.
Why We Mentor
Friends of Diane was organized as a response to the life choices we all make. Diane Stow Ayres has clearly made some good life choices that have changed so many lives, including mine. This organization is dedicated to helping women make great choices that will make a positive impact on their lives.
I am so grateful I met Diane Stow Ayres. Her friendship set into motion the opportunity to make new friends and work with all the people who are now the inspiration for our organization. The Friends of Diane are so pleased to honor Diane Stow Ayres, Associate Publisher of Fort Worth Magazine and Community Volunteer who consistently helped over 100 non-profits every year.
Diane Ford Stow Ayres January 30, 1950 – October 7, 2019.
“ Show me your friends, and I will show you your Future ”
Chaplain – Ronnie Melancon
Friends of Diane,
President-Founder
