Gail Thomas
Gail Thomas
Gail Thomas is an author, poet, and community activist residing in Dallas. Using her knowledge in history, literature, psychology and fund-raising strategies she works tirelessly to keep Dallas’ cultural life vibrant while raising private funds for Trinity Trust Foundation’s balanced vision plan.
Additionally, she teaches graduate-level strategic communication courses for the Naval Postgraduate School and regularly presents at poetry festivals and conferences.
Early Life and Education
Gail Thomas was raised in Fargo, North Dakota before attending Long Island University for college where she majored in Health and Physical Education while playing tennis and basketball – majors she continued playing after marrying her college sweetheart and moving to Norton with their children. Later she taught Physical Education classes at Wrentham public schools until their children had reached adulthood before transitioning into real estate work until her retirement in 2013.
Her research focuses on the underrepresentation of Black students in STEM graduate programs and professions. She has conducted studies into barriers preventing these goals from being met, publishing her findings in several sociological journals.
Friends remember her as being a warm, funny and compassionate individual who cared deeply about those in her life. She created an environment in which everyone felt welcome – she was always there when needed.
Professional Career
Gail Thomas draws upon her extensive education, training and work experience to offer meaningful mentoring services for her clients. An accomplished writer, passionate activist for social justice and committed leader with boundless imagination and perspective she has made significant strides for Dallas while leading change with dedication.
Gail Gail is an award-winning poet whose works include Trail of Roots, winner of Seven Kitchens Press’ A.V. Christie Series; Odd Mercy, awarded Headmistress Press Charlotte Mew Prize; Waving Back; No Simple Wilderness: An Elegy for Swift River Valley by Haley’s. Additionally, she has received grants from Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation and Massachusetts Cultural Council as well as leading intergenerational arts projects.
She has delivered poetry readings at schools, colleges, book stores, festivals, conferences, historical societies, cafes and historical societies across the Northeast. Additionally, she teaches poetry craft workshops for Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshops as well as providing private mentoring.
Achievement and Honors
Gail Thomas has long been recognized as an authority on diversity and inclusion issues in higher education. Her studies focus on the underrepresentation of students of color in science, mathematics and engineering graduate programs and careers across the U.S. Her research emphasizes the need to address systemic barriers preventing them from reaching their full potential in these fields.
Thomas has written six published collections of poetry: Trail of Roots (A.V. Christie Series), Odd Mercy (Headmistress Press), Waving Back (Turning Point), No Simple Wilderness and Finding the Bear (Perugia Press). Her work was even awarded with a Charlotte Mew Prize!
She is one of the founding artists for Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Elder Arts Initiative and has held residencies at MacDowell Colony and Ucross. Additionally, she has taught writing classes and directed intergenerational art projects across Massachusetts communities.
Personal Life
Gail Thomas was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. As well as teaching physical education classes in Wrentham schools and volunteering within her local community, she also wrote poetry and published several books including Trail of Roots, Leaving Paradise Odd Mercy Waving Back.
Her greatest passion in life was being the best friend to many around her. They remember her fondly for her love of laughter, generosity and thoughtfulness – as well as for always standing by their sides through tough times or triumphant triumphs.
As founder of the Dallas Institute’s Center for the City, she continues to advance her ideas of urban transformation through research and advocacy. For her efforts she received SMU’s Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics & Public Responsibility’s 2014 J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award.
Net Worth
Gail Thomas is estimated to have an estimated net worth of $50 thousand, having spent her career working on urban planning and architecture at organizations such as Trinity Trust of Dallas and Center for the City at The Dallas Institute. She also taught classes at both universities: University of Dallas in Texas and Schumacher College of Devonshire England.
She is a strong proponent of the importance of humanities in urban living, publishing several books such as Trail of Roots, Odd Mercy and Waving Back on this subject. Additionally, she has spoken at numerous conferences and universities.
Gail J Mcgovern owns shares in PayPal Holdings Inc and DTE Energy Co, according to her SEC Form 4 filings, but has made no transactions over the last five years in either.