The Celebration

On Sunday, October 22, 2023 the elegant Omni Houston Hotel was the site of the thirteenth annual Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon, hosted by The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency (The Women’s Fund). Over 500 guests were in attendance to support the nonprofit, which provides Houston-area women and girls with the tools they need to be advocates for their health. Beth and Cynthia Wolff were the cochairs, and ABC 13’s Gina Gaston was the emcee.

 

Stephanie and Katie Tsuru  received the Sue Trammell Whitfield Award for Resiliency for their involvement in strengthening the health and wellness of Houston-area women and adolescent girls through volunteerism, leadership, and philanthropy. Terri Earles, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, CPHQ received The John P. McGovern Foundation “Champion in Women’s Health and Wellness” Award for her dedication to providing exemplary and compassionate service in the field of adolescent girls’ and women’s health and wellness.

 

The Celebration

Shopping was the name of the game for guests as they began the festivities with a shopping extravaganza featuring close to 20 unique vendors, sponsored by Paulina and Caragh McGrath. They also had the chance to bid on luxury items and experiences in the silent auction curated by auction cochairs, Megan Butler and Clara Orlean. The young girls in attendance enjoyed purchasing balloon pop bags containing such items  as trinkets, jewelry, and restaurant gift certificates with Bella Bucks.

 

Other fun activities included a chance for guests to shoot their own action video courtesy of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and to take part in a Champagne raffle sponsored by Tego Jewelers. The latter offered a chance to take home one of three prizes: a pair of 1.5 carat diamond earrings, a Valentino clutch, and a stay at a Galveston Island beach house. Champagne sponsor, Madame Zéro, kept the bubbly flowing.

 

Guests were treated to a musical performance by Tremble Choir of Houston and Partnerschools Voices United Choir as they entered the hotel’s ballroom. The delicious luncheon featured a petite garden salad followed by an entrée of boneless breast of chicken topped with artichokes and mushrooms accompanied by new potatoes and asparagus. A decadent trio of mini desserts followed that included chocolate mousse, vanilla bean cheesecake, and lemon meringue tart.

 

The Moments

Prior to the luncheon, 75 girls and women participated in the “What’s Next For Me?” educational program. Moderated by Wanda Mott, MD, the session promoted a healthy discussion on exploring trades, careers, and passions. A panel of experts in their fields answered questions and gave advice. Panelists included Nelly Argueta, MSW; Rose Caplan, RN; LaGaydra Murphy, USAF Ret.; and Barbara Paull, President and CEO of General Truck Body.

 

During the luncheon, the awards were presented to the award recipients. The Women’s Fund also recognized their founder, Jacqueline Goettsche, who passed away earlier in the month.

 

The keynote speaker, Houston attorney, entrepreneur, and fitness guru Roslyn Bazelle Mitchell was welcomed by honorary chair, Joanne King Herring, along with honorary vice chairs, Jane Page Crump, Amanda and Claire Lundquist, Carol LaMarche, and Gaby and Maya Graubart. Bazelle shared her own personal journey of resiliency with the theme, “0+0=0.” It stressed rising up through failures and the importance of surrounding ourselves with good people. She concluded her inspiring talk by singing Rise Up.

 

Ronna Williams, M.Ed., then took the stage to describe the impact The Women’s Fund “What About Me” classes and publications are making at Briarmeadow Charter School, where she witnesses the challenges many young girls face every day. She said the program has encouraged the girls in the program to dream big, speak up, and realize their full potential.

 

The successful and fun event raised $260,000 for The Women’s Fund.

Special thanks to Tootsies, Saks Fifth Avenue, Evelyn Leightman, and event advisors Philamena Baird and Stephanie von Stein Schusterman.

 

Sponsors and supporters helping women and girls advocate for their health at the thirteenth annual Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon included: John P. McGovern Foundation; SheSpace; Beth Wolff Realtors; Jackie Macha and Brian Faulkner; Martha Walton; Agility Bank; Nadia Akaweih; Katherine Parsley; Stephanie von Stein Schusterman; Elizabeth Grimm MD; Monica Fulton; Houston Methodist; Meghan and Jerry Hughes, Jr. and Mary Beth Robinson; McGovern Medical School – UT Health; University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; The Paull Family; and General Truck Body.

 

Additional sponsors included: Transportation sponsor Emerson, Shopping Extravaganza sponsor Paulina and Caragh McGrath, Shopping Bag sponsor Rejuve, Valet sponsor Inscription Capital and Jillian Nel, Girls Shopping Dollars sponsor Bella Obstetrics and Gynecology and Shaunna Mason MD.

 

Rockin’ Resiliency with The Women’s Fund attendees included: Board members Jillian Nel, Katherine Cabaniss Parsley, Lisa Chandler Rogers, Kathryn Tees, Nadia S. Akaweih, Monica Fulton, Ginny T. Kirklin, Stephanie von Stein Schusterman, Martha Walton, and Kim Williams; Advisory Board Members Philamena Baird, Cheryl Byington, Lindsey Duhon, Nan Duhon, Gina Gaston Elie, Jackie Macha, Crystal Nguyen and Mary Beth Robinson; Cindy Cook, Casey Curey, Jane Page Crump, Mary Fusillo, Regina Garcia, Lisa Graham-Garza, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Debra Laws, Evelyn Leightman, Shelley Ludwick, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Leila Perrin, Sandra Porter, Dana Kervin, Jerre Parsons Williams, and Heidi Rockecharlie.

 

About The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency

The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency (The Women’s Fund) is a nonprofit dedicated to providing Houston-area women and girls with the tools they need to be advocates for their own health. Since 1979, The Women’s Fund has served women and girls through health education community seminars, programs, and publications. Dedicated to ensuring positive health outcomes for individuals and communities, The Women’s Fund serves close to 12,000 women and adolescent girls and distributes over 9,913  publications each year at no cost.

 

The Women’s Fund collaborates with community partners to provide its programs and resources free of charge to the communities with limited access to health information. Houston area women and girls learn resiliency skills to increase self-efficiency, decision-making, goal-setting, communication, and resourcefulness to be their own health advocates and ensure positive health outcomes for individuals and communities.

 

For more information, please visit www.thewomensfund.org, call 713-623-6543, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.