As the mother of two strong and independent daughters, Zoe, 11, and Elly, eight, I often look proudly on the accomplished people they are becoming. Our family values and priorities, school, our supportive community, their natural curiosity, and their involvement in extracurricular activities, such as piano lessons, dance and theater classes, writing workshops, and so much more are important elements that have guided their development.

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Another of those activities is chess. It has become a passion for both our daughters, especially Zoe. She describes how chess has impacted her life in this way, “The strategic thinking and knowledge I gain from chess helps me in my daily life.” Her love of the game, and her desire to pass on its benefits to other girls so they can be better prepared for the future, inspired her to create her own chess nonprofit, with our blessing.

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“Girl Chess Power and Beyond,” with Zoe as the founder and special advisor and I as the president of the executive board of directors, is the result. It is a nonprofit organization where girls can become empowered together, play chess together, volunteer together, and have fun together. What makes it different from other girl nonprofits is that we include chess as part of our empowerment program. As well, our participants are involved in volunteer work and attend seminars and workshops organized by us and delivered by experts in their fields, which prepare them for becoming more well-rounded individuals.
 
Girl Chess Power and Beyond is partnering with the CKW LUXE Presidential  Volunteer Award program. As a certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteer Award, CKW LUXE is able to bestow the unique honor on volunteers of all ages. Girl Chess Power participants can accumulate an impressive number of service hours through CKW LUXE’s volunteer opportunities in order to qualify for the award. Recipients of the award will be presented with a Presidential Volunteer Award certificate, a pin or medallion, a congratulatory letter from the president, and a CKW LUXE Making a Difference Award certificate. 

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Just as Zoe is inspired by chess, I, as a parent, am inspired by her desire to give back to others by sharing her love of the game with them and passing along the benefits she derives from it. As a community member, I am inspired by those who make a positive difference in the lives of others. In the early days of the publication, CKW LUXE celebrated inspiring individuals with our Star Awards. In 2019, we debuted the Top 20 Impact Makers Awards. 

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Now, in 2025, we are unveiling our Star Impact Makers Awards celebrating humanitarians who are generous in their support of others, dedicated to improving lives and living conditions, and devoted to finding better ways of helping. They have made an achievement that has had a positive impact on some area of the arts, science, education, humanitarianism, or medicine within our community. Our inaugural honorees are examples of Houston’s most devoted, industrious, and inspiring individuals, and it is my honor to celebrate them. 

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It is my hope that this, our tenth anniversary issue, enlightens, entertains, and inspires you. As this New Year dawns, let us be inspired by each other and take that inspiration to the highest levels of achievement we can.