Friends of the Alamo

Erin Bowman

Erin Bowman, born September 5, 1948 in Carrizo Springs, Texas, has been an active member of the San Antonio community for more than 30 years Her love and passion for the city and community she lives in is matched only by her desire to instill recognition and pride into future generations of the city of San Antonio. As a graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word, where she earned a degree in English and Elementary Education, she's proven that her leadership has played a key role in the many successes that she's experienced in her lifetime, as a champion voice for the people.

Being a vital component in the happenings of some of the largest committees, boards and organizations in San Antonio, Erin has been able to develop a network of ardent supporters who are further inspired by the passion she displays in all of her positions. As a founding member of Friends of the Alamo, Erin has also served on the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital Foundation Board, and its' Executive Committee, a position she held from 1979 to 2002. She was on the steering committee of the Capital Campaign to build the Christopher Goldsbury Center for Children and Families which was hugely successful. In the 30+ years of her career, she has also been a founding member and President of the Cancer Center Council, a support group for the Cancer Therapy and Research Center.

She has chaired the advisory board at the UTHSC-SA Nursing School Board and was on the San Antonio Academy Board of directors and co-chair, with John Newman of its' Capital Campaign. More recently Erin has sat on the Board of Directors for Sunshine Cottage School for the Deaf, worked with the Mongu project in Zambia which sought funding to help sponsor children of mother's with aids and traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico with Los Quijotes, a medical mission group from Santa Rosa Children's Hospital. But nothing has taken precedence over her love for the Alamo and what it represents, not just for Texans but for the world.

Now serving as a founding member of Friends of the Alamo, Erin Bowman seeks to raise money to endow the Alamo in perpetuity. Monies for the preservation, restoration and renovation of the Alamo Shrine itself as well as the historic buildings on the Alamo Complex. In addition, the endowment will provide monies for employee continuing education, professional advancement and special projects relating to the Alamo.

Dianne MacDiarmid

Dianne MacDiarmid was born May 29, 1952 in Cotulla, Texas and grew up on the family ranch in La Salle county. She attended Cotulla High School and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1974 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. Dianne has invested almost thirty years in the San Antonio community, volunteering in the schools and churches her family has attended and working with and supporting the many charitable and civic organizations of which she is a member.

Dianne has been active and has supported in various capacities her children’s schools, her church (Redeemer Presbyterian), Alliance Defense Fund, Salvation Army, Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian Assistance Ministries, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Vision Walk SA, March of Dimes, Cerebral Palsy and the American Cancer Society. She is particularly interested in the Military-Civilian Club, Segs4Vets program and other organizations which provide support for the many fine young men and women serving our country in the military both at home and abroad.

As one avidly interested in history, especially United States and Texas history, Dianne has enjoyed researching her family background. This has led her to join several genealogical societies, with a specific interest and participation in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. As a member of Alamo Mission Chapter, she served on the Education committee, as first and second vice president, chapter president and a member of the Alamo Committee, serving as Alamo Committee Chairman for two of four years. This involvement served to increase her already passionate interest in our heritage and to want to make sure our unique Texas story continues to be told. From the building of the Mission complex by the Spanish for the conversion of the indigenous peoples, the remarkable contribution of the Tejanos, the bravery and sacrifice of the Alamo defenders and on through the victory at San Jacinto, the narrative resonates with the freedom loving people everywhere. As co-founder of Friends of the Alamo, it is Dianne’s desire to help preserve this rich history not only for her children and grandchildren but for people all over the world for all generations. Dianne is supported in her efforts by her husband, three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.