United Nations Association, Dallas Chapter

The United Nations officially formed October 24, 1945 after fifty countries, including China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, met to draw up a charter for a worldwide organization of member countries. According to the charter, the purpose or mission of the United Nations Association is to "maintain international peace and security," "develop friendly relations among nations," "achieve international cooperation in solving international problems," and "to be the centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends."

The Dallas Chapter of the United Nations was formed in January 1953 and officially accredited on May 12th of the same year. The influential Judge Sarah T. Hughes was its first president, and other members responsible for helping the chapter get started were Louise Raggio, Canon Ferguson, Mrs. E.R. Brownscombe, Grady Spruce, and Luther Holcombe. At the time of the chapter's formation, there was strong opposition to the United Nations, particularly in conservative Dallas. There were often heated arguments in the city's newspaper editorials and letters from readers. The papers often reported on speeches given at various club gatherings either for and often against the United Nations. Critics of the United Nations felt it threatened the sovereignty of the United States government and even worse, promoted communism and threatened Christianity. Proponents of the United Nations, such as Judge Hughes and others, formed the chapter to counter increasing attacks in Dallas against it. They believed that the organization was essential in promoting and preserving peace throughout the world and protecting future generations from the scourge of war.

Sources:

1. Indomitable Sarah: The Life of Judge Sarah T. Hughes, Darwin Payne, Southern Methodist University Press, 2004

2. Dallas Morning News

3. United Nations Association, Dallas Chapter website

From the guide to the United Nations Association, Dallas Chapter MA04-1., 1974 - 2003, (Texas/Dallas History & Archives, Dallas Public Library)