The History of District 50 Toastmasters: Honoring the Past, Building the Future
The "Why" – Our Origin Story
District 50 Toastmasters emerged from a powerful vision: to create a more connected, manageable Toastmasters experience for members in Eastern Texas and Northern Louisiana. The District’s formation addressed the challenge of managing an expansive geographical region by establishing a structure that would foster more accessible leadership development, stronger community connections, and sustainable growth.
The founding values—communication, leadership, and service—continue to guide District 50’s journey. Toastmasters International’s proven educational program has empowered members to discover their voices, grow as leaders, and build confidence both personally and professionally. District 50 was established to bring those transformative opportunities closer to home.
The Founders
Our formation as District 50 was approved by Toastmasters International, officially launching on July 1, 1994, with Alice Willhoite, DTM, as our first District Governor under the theme “Making the Best Better.”
District 50’s foundation was shaped by visionary leaders who had already served with distinction in District 25. These trailblazers—including Jo Anna McWilliams, DTM, Past International President (PIP), and Pauline Shirley, DTM, Past International President—carried the torch of Toastmasters’ values forward, laying a strong and inclusive foundation for our new District.
(Photo Left: Past and current District leaders gathered at the Aug 2024 Area Director training to celebrate the legacy of District 50 on its 30th birthday!)
Left to Right: Distingished Toastmasters All… Monnica Rose, Alice Willhoite, Monica Dirden, Kimberly Ross, Pauline Shirley, DaWane Wanek, and Charlene Burroughs
The Journey - Evolution and Milestones
What began as a portion of the original District 25 has grown into a vibrant and dynamic District of its own. Highlights of our journey include:
- 1991: Decision to split District 25 due to its vast size and growing membership.
- 1994: District 50 officially formed with 114 clubs and 2,510 members.
- Geographic Scope:
From its founding, District 50 was defined by distinct boundaries to better serve its members: - North: Texas–Oklahoma boundary
- East: Texas–Arkansas and Texas–Louisiana boundaries, including all of Caddo and Bossier Parishes in Louisiana
- South: The 31st Parallel
- West: From the Texas–Oklahoma boundary, southerly along the western boundaries of Grayson and Collin counties, the eastern side of I-35E within Dallas County, and the western boundaries of Ellis, Navarro, Limestone, and Robertson counties
- Milestone Clubs: Clubs like Big “D” #713 (chartered in 1949) and Shreveport #718 (chartered in 1949) have celebrated over 50 years of Toastmasters excellence.
Through strategic leadership, community engagement, and a relentless commitment to growth, District 50 has continually expanded its reach and impact.
As of June 24, 2025, District 50 is home to 116 clubs, with a robust membership that reflects a balanced blend of corporate and community clubs.
Our Culture and Core Values
District 50’s culture is shaped by diversity, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence. Our members come from varied walks of life—engineers, educators, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners—yet we all share a commitment to personal growth and servant leadership.
We believe in supporting one another, celebrating small wins, and stepping into leadership to help others rise. Our District thrives on collaboration, with leaders mentoring new members, clubs helping clubs, and divisions supporting each other’s success.
We take pride in community service initiatives, youth leadership programs, and outreach to underrepresented communities—all part of our mission to grow together.
The Impact and Value We Bring
District 50 serves aspiring leaders and speakers in North East Texas and North West Louisiana. Through weekly club meetings, District-wide conferences, speech contests, and leadership training, we help individuals grow into confident communicators and empowered professionals.
Our members tell stories of transformation: overcoming fear of public speaking, leading successful teams at work, and even running for public office—all sparked by Toastmasters.
What sets District 50 apart? It’s our deep roots and progressive spirit. We honor our history while innovating for the future, balancing tradition with a forward-thinking approach.
This page is more than just names and dates—it’s about people, passion, and purpose. We invite you to see yourself in our story: whether you’re new to Toastmasters or a longtime leader, your journey adds a new chapter to this ongoing legacy.
District Leaders
Past International Leaders
Past International President
| 1994–1995 Pauline Shirley, DTM, PIP |
| 2000–2001 Jo Anna McWilliams, DTM, PIP *Deceased |
Past International Directors
| 1988–1990 Pauline Shirley, DTM, PIP |
| 1992–1994 Jo Anna McWilliams, DTM, PIP *Deceased |
| 2021-2023 Monnica Rose, DTM, PID |
Past Region Advisors
| 2015-2017 Monnica Rose, DTM, PID |
| 2019-2020 Ed Meissner, DTM, PRA |
| 2020-2021 Charlene Burroughs, DTM, PRA |
| 2022-2023 Charlene Burroughs, DTM, PRA |
Presidential Citations Winners
| Region | District | Year | |
| Gary Smith, DTM | 3 | 25 | 1995 |
| Pat Gallager, DTM | 3 | 50 | 2000 |
| Pauline Shirley, DTM | 3 | 50 | 2001 |
| John D. Fooks, DTM | 3 | 50 | 2001 |
| Jo Anna McWilliams, DTM | 3 | 50 | 2007 |
| Jim Key, DTM | 5 | 50 | 2020 |
| Gaurav Shekhar, DTM | 5 | 50 | 2021 |
| Monnica B. Rose, DTM, PID | 5 | 50 | 2024 |
WCPS and Finalists
World Champion of Public Speaking
| 2003 Jim Key, WCPS |
| 2008 LaShunda Rundles, WCPS |
WCPS Finalists
| Year | Finalists | Club | Placement |
| 1995 | Kathie Clark | Garland | Finalist |
| 2001 | Jim Key | Lennox | Finalist – 2nd Place |
| 2002 | Jim Key | Lennox | Finalist – 2nd Place |
| 2003 | Jim Key | Lennox | WCPS |
| 2004 | David Hill | Finalist | |
| 2008 | LaShunda Rundles | WCPS | |
| 2013 | Darren McDonald | Semi-Finalist | |
| 2014 | David Hill | Semi-Finalist | |
| 2015 | Monica Dirden | Semi-Finalist | |
| 2020 | Sherwood Jones | Finalist | |
| 2023 | James Harris, Jr. | VA Speakers Extraordinaire | Finalist |
Accredited Speaker
| 2002 Anne Barab, DTM, AS |
Your Next Step
We’ve come far, but the story of District 50 is still being written. Join a club, step into leadership, or volunteer to serve—however you choose to engage, you belong here.