Devoted to Tradition

BizTUCSONApril 20, 2026

2 minutes read

Silver & Turquoise Board of Hostesses Honors Tucson’s History, Heritage

By Tiffany Kjos

The Silver & Turquoise Board of Hostesses, closing in on 75 years, has given $915,000 to the Mission San Xavier del Bac– placing it among the historic landmark’s top five individual and foundation donors.

“We all share the same love for it,” said hostess Dani Eggman, chair of the 74th annual Silver & Turquoise Ball, to be held May 2 at the Arizona Inn.

The mission, known as the “White Dove of the Desert” for its striking white exterior and widely considered among the finest examples of Mexican Baroque architecture in North America, has been the recipient of funds since the mid-1990s from the board, whose purpose is to support the preservation of Tucson’s history.

Patronato San Xavier, which oversees conservation of the mission southwest of Tucson, currently has three major projects in various phases, including the preservation of the retablo facade at the mission’s entrance.

“The Patronato continues to be grateful for the support of the hostesses and their commitment to continuing to provide funding through the ball,” said Miles Green, Patronato’s executive director. “These large gifts continue to ensure that we are able to meet our goals of funding large-scale preservation projects at the mission on an ongoing basis.”

The 2026 ball returns to the Arizona Inn, itself a Tucson gem built by the state’s first congresswoman and a hostess, Isabella Greenway. When the inn was put for sale last year, the board worried about the ball’s fate and future location. Fortunately, the inn was sold to a group of local investors that includes three hostesses–Marla Amado, Mimi Amos and Kimberly Clements. The group is committed to honoring the rose-colored inn’s roots.

“The inn is just as much a part of the Silver & Turquoise Ball as all of its members, so it was really important for us to be able to get to do it there, and we’re thankful that we can,” said Eggman. “It’s an atmosphere that you can’t replicate anywhere else.”

In keeping with tradition, the hostesses will greet guests in a receiving line, followed by cocktails on the lawn, an “amazing” buffet, then dancing and a cabaret.

“It’s really unique because it’s one of the only places in Tucson where you can actually dance under the stars outside. And we have the dance floor set up on their grassy area (at the inn). So, it makes it really fun and special,” Eggman said.

The event began in 1950 as a casual thank-you potluck for Tucson Festival Society volunteers.

It has since become an annual, black-tie ball, the finale of the social season, evolving from simple fare such as finger sandwiches to carving stations, seafood and ice sculptures.

“I feel like very few traditions have lasted this long in Arizona, so that longevity says a lot about Tucson’s sense of community and pride, which is really nice to see,” Eggman said.