Texas Women’s Foundation Raised $750K with Emmy-Award Winning Journalist Ann Curry

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) held its 39th Annual Luncheon on November 1st at the Omni Dallas. The luncheon raised nearly $750,000 to continue its important work of advancing the lives of girls, women and their families. 

TXWF Community Grantees

Immediately prior to the luncheon, TXWF donors and grantees gathered for a reception honoring the organization’s 2024 Community Grant Awards recipients. With support from donors, fundholders and philanthropic partners, more than $867,000 was granted to 23 deserving non-profit organizations serving women and girls in North Texas. 

The luncheon began with a powerful spoken word performance by Miss Texas 2024, Annette Addo-Yobo. As a first-generation American woman holding this title, Annette knows firsthand what it means to overcome obstacles. In her piece titled “Texas Woman,” she spoke passionately about the need for women to own their worth and carry their truth forward despite persistent inequities and barriers.

Effie Dennison, Karen Hughes White, Ann Curry and Carrie Freeman Parsons

TXWF’s 39th Annual Luncheon Chair and Executive Vice President, Head of Community Development and Corporate Responsibility for Texas Capital Bank, Effie Dennison, thanked Annette, welcomed guests and acknowledged event sponsors (see list at end). 

An inspiring video about the impact of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center followed Effie’s remarks; and a video about Storytime Childcare highlighted the importance of quality, affordable childcare for working families. Texas Women’s Foundation’s President and CEO Karen Hughes White, said, “Each one of you in this room – through your passion for Texas women and girls and your generosity of spirit – has the power to change lives. And it’s exactly what we’re going to ask you to do today. But first, I want to pose a question that I hope you’ll discuss at your tables over lunch: How can it be that our great state of Texas – with the strongest economy in the nation – and reportedly, the 8th largest in the world – ranks 47th out of 50 states across 25 different indicators for women’s economic security and success?”

Ann Curry, Krys Boyd

 Curry shared her experiences as one of the few women reporters breaking barriers in newsrooms dominated by men. She’s used her platform to bring humanity to her stories and shine a light on people’s lived experiences. Despite facing resistance, she fought tirelessly to stand up for what was right. Throughout her journey, she would envision future women journalists and remind herself that “the women are coming” to help elevate the field. 

Clover the Violinist

Curry’s Select Remarks:

“You are now a part of the struggle and we’ve come a long way, but we haven’t crossed the finish line. Women fought to give you a voice. Use it.” Then she shared the story of her grandmother. “My grandmother wanted to vote in an election, but my dad and grandfather wouldn’t drive her to vote because she wasn’t going to vote for the candidate they both wanted her to vote for. Fine. She walked to the election site. Her candidate won.”

“Commit yourself to a life of service.”

“We have to balance risk-taking without fear. We have to step out and take a risk. Everyone has a purpose that only you can bring into the world – take smart risks, fight for the things that are part of your purpose.”

Carrie Freeman Parsons, Texas Women’s Foundation board chair, closed the luncheon with thanks to all the participants, sponsors and attendees. 

Ripple Effect

Special thanks to sponsors: 

Initiator of Change: Quantum Connections

Influencers for Change: Target and The Suzanne Ahn Speaker Endowment Fund of Texas Women’s Foundation 

Possibilities Partner Igniter of Change: Toyota

Pioneers for Change: Amazon, Ellenore Knight Baker and Roslyn Dawson Thompson, and Southwest Airlines

Incubators for Change: Goldman Sachs, The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated. 

Facilitator for Change: Haynes Boone 

Energizers for Change: The Dallas Mavericks, Ernst & Young, Kimberly Clark, Texas Capital Bank

For additional sponsors, visit https://www.txwfluncheon.org/2024-sponsors

The Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon Speaker is...

We're thrilled to announce this year's Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon celebrity speaker, Christina Ricci!

Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon

Friday, September 23, 2021

11:30 a.m.

The Dallas Omni Hotel

Golden Globe®, SAG®, and Emmy® nominee Christina Ricci is one of Hollywood's most respected actors.

As a child actor, Ricci won over audiences and critics alike with her winning portrayal in movies such as "The Addams Family," "Now and Then," and "Casper."

Ricci’s career continued to take off as she came into adulthood, starring not only in movies such as "The Ice Storm" and "The Opposite of Sex," but capturing the attention of television audiences as well with original series such as "Z:The Beginning of Everything," "The Lizzie Borden Chronicles," and, more recently, "Yellowjackets."

As a guest star on various hit shows such "Grey’s Anatomy," "The Good Wife," and "Ally McBeal," combined with her broadway appearance in "Time Stands Still," Ricci can literally do it all and has been a trailblazer in Hollywood through her on-camera presence while advocating to end family violence. 

We are honored she has chosen to support The Family Place's mission to empower survivors and provide resources to individuals and families in need.

 

You can look forward to seeing Ricci in Tim Burton’s upcoming show “Wednesday,” which will release on Netflix later this year.

Purchase your table today!

32nd Annual ChristianWorks "Celebrate the Children" Auction

 

32nd Annual "Celebrate the Children" Auction 

Omni Dallas Hotel
Dallas Ballroom
555 South Lamar Street
Dallas, Texas 75202

6:00 pm  Doors Open

7:00 pm  Dinner is served

9:50 pm  Checkout begins

Featured Speaker: Steve Arterburn

Entertainment by The McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra

and Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield

Purchase tickets here.

Josh Shipp to speak at Pot of Gold Luncheon benefiting Rainbow Days on June 25

 

Friday, June 25, 2021 | Omni Dallas – Dallas Ballroom

Silent Auction Doors Open: 11 a.m. | Luncheon Program: 12 – 1:30 p.m.

Discounted valet and self-parking available | Business Attire

Rainbow Days is thrilled to announce our 24th annual Pot of Gold Luncheon will be held at the Omni Dallas Hotel Dallas Ballroom on Friday, June 25, 2021! Through sponsorships, silent auction bidding, individual tickets and donations, Rainbow Days’ goal is to raise $275,000 to continue providing critical services benefiting thousands of at-risk and homeless children and youth across the Dallas area!

To ensure the health and safety of all attendees, Rainbow Days’ 2021 Pot of Gold Luncheon is taking extra precautions and implementing a series of health policies and procedures in accordance with guidelines from the CDC, the state of Texas, and local public safety and health officials.

Pot of Gold Luncheon 2021 | Rainbow Days

Prepare to be inspired by best-selling author Josh Shipp, the 2021 Pot of Gold Luncheon Keynote Speaker. Statistically, Josh should be dead, in jail or homeless. However, his success as a preeminent author, speaker and global youth empowerment expert is living proof of the power of one caring adult. A former at-risk foster kid turned youth advocate, Josh is renowned for the documentary TV series on A&E that followed his groundbreaking work with youth and families. He has written two national bestsellers to date and is regularly called on by OPRAH, CNN, FOX, The New York Times, 20/20, Good Morning America and others to provide commentary on common challenges faced by parents and teachers.

Kyle Coots & Ross DeRogatis

Pot of Gold Luncheon Chairs

Victoria Snee

Master of Ceremonies

2021 Pot of Gold Committee Members

Luncheon Chairs: Kyle Coots & Ross DeRogatis

Silent Auction Chairs: Melissa Griffith & Talene Kozanian

Liz Aldrine, Heather Appel, Beth Bedell, Jennifer Bishop, Nikki Chriesman-Green, Sarah Clifford, Sharon Cornwall, Veronica Moreno, Page Morgan, Kelly Morris, Jenn Mueller, Letetia Patin, Tara Walsh, Nicole Williams, Greg Wood, Kristen Worthington, Debbie Young

Dallas CASA Announces Featured Speaker for Annual Dinner

Dallas CASA's 2019 Champion of Children Award Dinner will feature speaker Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, the Michigan circuit court judge who allowed more than 150 abuse survivors to testify in court against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

Aquilina gained national attention in 2018 for providing time and space for the victims to speak publicly prior to Nassar's sentencing. Testimony that had been scheduled for four days stretched to seven, much of it televised. Aquilina sentenced Nassar to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually molesting patients under the guise of medical treatment, but not before issuing a stinging rebuke on behalf of his victims.

"Your decision to assault was precise, calculated, manipulated, devious and despicable," she said from the bench. "And I want you to know, as much as it was my honor and privilege to hear the survivors, it is my honor and privilege to sentence you. Because, sir, you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again. I hope somewhere you have heard everybody's words and it really does resonate with you."

Dallas CASA's Champion of Children Award Dinner will be held Nov. 14 at The Omni Dallas. More details will be released soon.

House of DIFFA Futuro - Buy your tickets now

Https://www.diffadallas.org 

New Friends New Life Announces Keynote Speaker

New Friends New Life, a nonprofit organization that restores and empowers formerly trafficked and sexually exploited women, teens, and children, announces Mandy Moore, a Grammy® and Golden Globe® nominated actress, singer and songwriter, will speak at the New Friends New Life Luncheon, celebrating the organization’s 20^th anniversary. “Stand for Her” is the theme of this year’s luncheon, scheduled on Friday, Nov. 9 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the OMNI Dallas Hotel, 555 S. Lamar St.  Honorary luncheon chairs are Marla and Mike Boone, and luncheon co-chairs are Connie Kleinert Babikian, McCall Cravens and Jill Meyer.

McCall Cravens, NFNL CEO Kim Robinson, Connie Kleinhart Babikian, Jill Meyer

 Moore stars on the critically acclaimed NBC show This Is Us. Her portrayal of Rebecca, which spans several decades, earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. She enjoys versatility in a career marked by memorable performances not only in primetime television but also in independent features and studio films. In 2002, Moore earned an MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Female Performance for her role in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ A Walk to Remember, which went on to become a cult classic. Additional film credits include License to Wed opposite Robin Williams and John Krasinski; and Because I Said So opposite Diane Keaton; She also voiced “Rapunzel” in Disney’s animated series Tangled. Most recently she can be seen in Freestyle’s thriller 47 Meters Down. Upcoming in film, she will star in Twentieth Century Fox’s sci-fi thriller The Darkest Minds.

Mandy Moore

In 2008, Moore joined the global health organization PSI (Population Services International) as a Global Ambassador. On her first trip with PSI, she helped launch a distribution of 3 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets in South Sudan.  The initiative, a partnership with the Southern Sudanese Ministry of Health and with funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria ensured that pregnant women and newborn babies are better protected from deadly disease. In 2010 and 2011, Moore helped raise more than $2.2 million for PSI through the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Netscampaign to support nationwide net distributions in the Central African Republic and Cameroon. In 2011, Moore was chosen by the UN as a Malaria Champion alongside President George W. Bush, Ban Ki Moon, Awa Coll Seck and more. In Trinidad, Tobago and India, Moore helped raise awareness of the impact gender-based violence has on women and families. Moore has been a featured speaker at Women Deliver, Clinton Global Initiative University and was a Young Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum. She currently resides in Los Angeles.

Honorary Luncheon Chairs Mike and Marla Boone

“Mandy Moore’s passion for her work and the causes she supports is both inspiring and empowering,” said Kim Robinson, CEO, New Friends New Life. In “This Is Us, we see real life. We see non-traditional families who learn they can face life’s trials and tribulations with a solid support system. This empowering message, coupled with Mandy’s global humanitarian work and her personal endorsements encouraging women to take charge and stand up for themselves, makes her the ideal speaker for our 20^th anniversary luncheon.”

Sponsorships available, ranging from $2,500 to $100,000. 

To purchase seats and tables, visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/Luncheon