RSVP Calendar: 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:

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

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