A social media group started by two Fort Worth mothers eight years ago has evolved into a formal nonprofit organization with more than 3,000 members. The Fort Worth Weird Moms Club provides a platform for residents who identify as outsiders to connect and engage in civic life.
Haley Ballenger, a mother of two who relocated to Fort Worth from Houston in 2018, launched the initiative after meeting another parent in a book club. The pair began referring to themselves as "weird moms" due to their tattoos, piercings, and unconventional language. The label resonated with others, and the Facebook group expanded rapidly.
The organization hosts several annual gatherings, including an adult prom that began in 2019. The event, initially titled "A Night to Forget," required attendees to bring a fellow group member as a date and wear thrifted or borrowed clothing. The group later added a youth Pride Prom for individuals aged 11 to 18, which has been held for the past four years. Recent iterations took place at Finn’s Place, a community center for transgender and gender-expansive youth, with themes such as bioluminescence.
Ballenger stated that the group identifies as left-leaning and supports LGBTQ+ rights and Black Lives Matter. She emphasized the organization’s commitment to anti-racism and community service. The group aims to highlight the diverse population of Fort Worth, countering perceptions that the city lacks the cultural vibrancy often associated with Austin.
"We're trying to shine a light on Fort Worth and say, we're not Dallas, we're not Tanglewood; there are real interesting people that live here," Ballenger said. She encouraged residents to get to know their neighbors and perform acts of kindness.
