Two Best-Selling Authors to Headline Texas Women’s Foundation’s 36th Annual Luncheon on Sept. 30

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) announces two remarkable bestselling authors, Angie Thomas and Cleo Wade, who will discuss the power of women’s storytelling at its 36^th Annual Luncheon on Tuesday, September 30 at 12 noon (CDT). Themed “My Voice. My Story. Every Woman’s Power to Build Compassion and Community,” the event tickets start at $36 each. For more information or to purchase a ticket to this virtual event, visit txwfluncheon.org.

Angie Thomas

Cleo Wade

Author, speaker and former teen rapper, Thomas released her debut novel, The Hate U Give in 2017; it spent three years on The New York Times bestseller list and was made into a movie. An accomplished poet, artist and activist who has been called the “Millennial Oprah” by New York Magazine, Wade just released a children’s novel, What the Road Said, which has already become a New York Times chart-topper. 

Lindsay Billingsley, Co-Chair

 

Debra Hunter Johnson, Co-Chair

Business and community leaders Lindsay Billingsley and Debra Hunter Johnson are co-chairs of the luncheon. Billingsley is Founder of LAB Strategies, where she works with non-profit organizations to develop strategic initiatives designed to enhance financial and philanthropic outcomes. Johnson is a speaker, investor and founder of Reciprocity Consulting Group, LLC where she provides strategic advice that helps individuals, teams and organizations accelerate their wisdom curve.

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Texas Women’s Foundation president and chief executive officer, said, “We look forward to hearing from two of the most significant storytellers in our nation – Angie Thomas and Cleo Wade. They remind us that every woman’s voice and story are important, valuable and powerful. We are also grateful to our amazing co-chairs, Lindsay and Debra, for helping Texas Women’s Foundation take our signature fundraiser to new heights.”

Others participating in the virtual event include Hilda Galvan, Texas Women’s Foundation board chair elect (assumes chair July 1, 2021) and partner-in-charge at Jones Day Dallas, and Laysha Ward, Target executive vice president and chief external engagement officer. Target is the keynote speaker sponsor, along with the Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Speaker Endowment Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation.

The Annual Luncheon is the Foundation’s principal fundraiser in support of its work to advance women’s economic security, leadership, education, health and safety in Texas through research, advocacy, programs and grantmaking. For those interested in supporting the event through sponsorship, contact Ashley K. Lindsay at alindsay@txwf.org 

Join us for this extraordinary virtual conversation with two remarkable bestselling authors discussing the power of each woman’s voice and story in building empathy, compassion and community in our world.

Texas Women's Foundation (txwfluncheon.org)

Texas Women’s Foundation’s 35th Annual Luncheon Raised More Than $926,000

Texas Women’s Foundation held its 35^th Annual Luncheon, presented by Toyota and powered by The Dallas Mavericks, on September 29, featuring a conversation with America Ferrera, award-winning actress, director, producer, The New York Times best-selling author and activist. The conversation was moderated by Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer for Target. As the principal fundraiser for the Foundation, the luncheon raised more than $926,000.

Laysha Ward interviews America Ferrera

Themed “Texas for All,” the 35^th Annual Luncheon, co-chaired by business and community leaders Bonnie Clinton, Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer of Toyota, and Cynt Marshall, President & CEO of The Dallas Mavericks, brought together virtually 2,000+ influential business and philanthropic leaders at the appointed time of the Luncheon, who gathered to support Texas Women’s Foundation’s mission to advance the lives of women, girls and their families in Texas. An additional 11,000 people followed the link to view the Luncheon within 24 hours of the event.

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Cynt Marshall, Bonnie Clinton, A. Shonn Brown

Roslyn Dawson Thompson, president & CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation, said, “The Foundation chose the theme ‘Texas For All’ to reinforce the need to build more inclusive and equitable communities. This was beautifully stated in the conversation with America Ferrera and Laysha Ward, as well as in the statements given by our Luncheon co-chairs who spoke to the power of equity and diversity, and how important they are to creating a Texas for All.”

Ferrera’s comments focused on these themes:

1. The need within all people, of all races and backgrounds, to be seen.
2. Each person’s unique identity is their superpower, not an obstacle.
3. In order to reach understanding, we need to get comfortable with uncomfortable situations. 
4. Sisterhood and community give us both strength and support.
5. Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. 

Bonnie Clinton, A. Shonn Brown, DJ Poizon Ivy, Cynt Marshall, Roslyn Dawson Thompson

Dawson Thompson and A. Shonn Brown, TXWF board chairwoman, along with Clinton and Marshall, challenged guests to:

• educate themselves about the issues, 
• activate networks and influence, 
• advocate for change, and 
• donate to TXWF to continue supporting the transformative work. 

 A special thank you to the following sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor: Toyota

Powered by: The Dallas Mavericks 

Speaker Sponsor: Target, with ongoing support from The Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation

Resilience Sponsors: Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt, Kimberly-Clark

Leader Sponsor: McKesson

Advocate Sponsors: AT&T, EY, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, Bev Goulet, Jones Day, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Paula and Ron Parker, Texas Capital Bank, Texas Instruments

Additional sponsors are listed here: https://www.txwfluncheon.org/sponsors

Texas Women's Foundation 35th Annual Luncheon with Keynote Speaker America Ferrera

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) announces the keynote speaker for its 35^h Annual Luncheon: America Ferrera, award-winning actress, director, producer, The New York Times best-selling author and activist. Themed “Texas for All,” this year’s event will take place virtually on Tuesday, September 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In honor of the 35^th anniversary, tickets are $35 each. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit txwfluncheon.org.

Business and community leaders Bonnie Clinton and Cynt Marshall are co-chairs of the luncheon. Clinton is vice president and chief procurement officer for Toyota North America, serves on Texas Women’s Foundation board and is a member of TXWF’s Economic Leadership Council. Marshall is chief executive officer of The Dallas Mavericks; she also serves as a Foundation board member and is an Economic Leadership Council member. Both women are diversity and inclusion champions and role models in their workplaces and in the community.  

“We are thrilled to assemble this ‘dream team’ – our keynote speaker, America Ferrera, who is passionate about strength in diversity and the importance of creating opportunities for everyone to participate fully in our society and economy, and our co-chairs, Bonnie Clinton and Cynt Marshall, who share the same passion and make it a reality through their exemplary leadership,” said Roslyn Dawson Thompson, Texas Women’s Foundation president and chief executive officer. 

 Others participating in the virtual event include A. Shonn Brown, Texas Women’s Foundation board chair and Kimberly-Clark vice president and deputy general counsel, and Laysha Ward, Target executive vice president and chief external engagement officer. Target is the keynote speaker sponsor.