HomeMy WebLinkAbout20260209 Dorothy Saxe 100th Birthday
HONORING DOROTHY SAXE ON THE
OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, Dorothy Saxe has reached the extraordinary milestone of 100 years of life, reflecting a century
marked by intellectual curiosity, generosity, cultural leadership, and a deep commitment to family and community;
and
WHEREAS, Dorothy raised her three children in Palo Alto, establishing enduring roots in the community and
modeling civic engagement, philanthropy, and lifelong learning as central values of family life. Dorothy’s
grandchildren—David, Aaron, and Daniel—were also raised in Palo Alto and attended Palo Alto High School,
continuing a multigenerational connection to the city that reflects Dorothy’s lasting influence on education,
community participation, and public service; and
WHEREAS, Dorothy and her late husband George Saxe assembled one of the most significant collections of
contemporary craft in the United States, culminating in the Dorothy and George Saxe Collection at the de Young
Museum, which includes 223 objects by 132 artists and stands as a permanent contribution to American cultural
heritage. Dorothy has served as a trustee of the Contemporary Jewish Museum for more than four decades, co-founding
the museum in 1984, and the annual Dorothy Saxe Invitational—endowed in her honor—continues to invite artists of
all backgrounds to reinterpret Jewish ritual objects and foster interfaith dialogue; and
WHEREAS, Dorothy has served on the board of the Pilchuck Glass School for over 30 years, supported emerging
artists through the Glass Art Society’s Saxe Emerging Artists Award, and demonstrated sustained leadership with the
Jewish Community Federation, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, and AIPAC, exemplifying the principle of
tikkun olam through action; and
WHEREAS, Dorothy is an active and devoted member of Congregation Beth Am in Palo Alto, where her
participation reflects a lifelong commitment to Jewish life, community service, and intergenerational connection within
the city; and
WHEREAS, Dorothy received the 2022 Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award in recognition of
decades of service and has been celebrated as “the finest example of leadership, commitment, generosity, mentorship,
and effectively implementing ideas into action”; and
WHEREAS, Dorothy has generously opened her home to students, scholars, museum professionals, and community
members, using art as a means of education, inspiration, and connection across generations.
NOW, THEREFORE I, Vicki Veenker, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, do hereby proclaim February 10, 2026 as
Dorothy Saxe Day.
Presented: February 10, 2026
_____________________
Mayor Vicki Veenker
Proclamation