Our Founder

Our Founder and Chairman

The Bloodworth House, The Claudia Foundation, The Designing Women Foundation

Linda Bloodworth Thomason, creator of the landmark comedy series Designing Women (and the critically acclaimed Evening Shade and Hearts Afire) is among the most prolific writers in American television. The multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominee has penned over three hundred fifteen episodes for the small screen. Her very first script, for “MASH” was nominated for an Emmy. Her first political film became the iconic “Man From Hope.” Her first novel, “Liberating Paris,” was a New York Times Bestseller (with Publishers Weekly naming her one of the ten most promising new novelists in America). In 2013, her first feature-length documentary, “Bridegroom”, won the Tribeca Film Festival. Bloodworth Thomason's numerous honors include: The Lucy Award from Women in Film, The Eleanor Roosevelt Freedom of Speech Award and The Silver Satellite Award (the ultimate honor given by American Women in Radio and Television).

Over the years, various publications have recognized her as being among The Hundred Most Influential People in the entertainment industry, as well as being among the Fifty Most Powerful Women in Hollywood. However, she remains most proud of being inducted into the Missouri Hall of Fame, where (even if of only by alphabetical happenstance) she resides next to her favorite comedy writer, Mark Twain.

On April 14, 2024, Bloodworth Thomason received the highest honor bestowed by the Writers Guild of America, The Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Significantly Advancing the Literature of Television.

(She is currently penning a memoir entitled “Scrapbook”, about her adventures in politics and entertainment. Her new play “Designing Women 2025” is now touring the country).