Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
+10Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 9th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund sold out its Annual Wine Dinner at Houston’s renowned Tony’s Restaurant. The dinner paired sumptuous wines with exquisite culinary delights and entertainment and brought together more than 200 supporters and guests.
The event united patrons in support of The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency and proved to be a resounding success, raising over $220,000. The funds will help to ensure that women and girls in the Houston area have access to essential resources, empowering them to advocate for their health through a range of classes, workshops, lectures, and publications focused on physical, mental, financial, and emotional well-being.
Guests were welcomed by the operatic sounds from mezzo-soprano Sarah Dyer and pianist Dr. Andreea Mut while they enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres of Cured Salmon Mousse with Trout Roe served in Candelabra, Roasted Grape and Ricotta, Pepper Beef Carpaccio with Watermelon, and Saba Crabmeat Zeppole with Scallions and Remoulade Aioli along with Champagne Madame Zero Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut.
Dinner chimes signaled it was time for guests to make their way to their tables while Emcee KTRK’s Gina Gaston took the podium to welcome guests, thank the event’s generous sponsors, and introduce Co-chairs Stephanie von Stein Schusterman and Dr. Mark Schusterman who shared their story of how and why they became involved in the work and accomplishments of The Women’s Fund.
Ronna Williams, Wraparound Specialist at Briar Meadow Charter School in HISD, shared her emotional firsthand experience of The Women’s Fund “What About Me?” Program as a catalyst for change in the classroom noting the resilience and triumphal story of transformation, empowerment, and the incredible impact that The Women Fund has had on her students. Williams added: “This is a space where young women are encouraged to dream big, speak up, and aspire to reach their full potential. The curriculum is designed to empower these students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to take on the world. My students have become more self-assured, more ambitious, and more determined. They are no longer limited by the stereotypes and barriers that society sometimes places in their way.”
President of the Board Katherine Parsley highlighted The Women’s Fund programs that provide a safe haven for girls and women, and the commitment to continue providing classes, presentations, and publications free of charge to communities with limited access to health information.
Parsley introduced Marilyn Sumner, the Jane and David Braden “Heart of a Volunteer” Service Award recipient. Sumner has been involved with The Women’s Fund for more than 25 years. She has led the organization as President, served as Community Outreach chair for numerous years, and is a Lifetime Member. Sumner led the Capacity Campaign in 2017 for the nonprofit organization, which attributes much of its growth to Sumner and her vision.
Accented by white roses with hydrangeas floral centerpieces donated by HEB, dinner was a feast for the eyes and senses. Houston’s acclaimed Grammy nominated Ars Lyrica Houston provided the entertainment with their renditions of “Che farò senza Euridice” from Gluck’s opera Orfeo ed Euridice, “Habanera” from Bizet’s opera Carmen, and “Deh non voler constringere” from Donizetti’s opera Anna Bolena.
The delectable dining experience included the following harmoniously paired with the following wines:
Spinach Ravioli with Vodka Sauce and Basil, paired with 2019 Windracer Chardonnay, Tidal Break Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
Whole Salt Crusted Gulf Red Snapper served with Barolo Ristretto, paired with 2022 Flowers Vineyards and Winery Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
44 Farms Braised Short Ribs with Safron Risotto and Eggplant Gondola with Fennel Pollen, Garden Tomato, and Tuscan Beans, paired with 2020 Tolaini ‘Valdisanti’ IGT
Sicilian Orange Cake with Toasted Almond and Italian Beauty Dark Belgian Chocolate Mousse and Flourless Chocolate Cake, paired with 2020 Maison Pierre Sparr ‘Grand Reserve’ Pinot Gris, Alsace
Silent auction sponsor David Peck generously donated ten fashion-forward mystery bags that were quickly snatched up by Wine Dinner guests for a donation as they perused and bid on the dining, entertainment, travel, luxury items and experiences in the silent auction.
Guest toasted to The Women’s Fund success and lifted their paddles up high while auctioneer Adren Pilger led the live auction, which included a pair of stunning 18 carat yellow gold earrings featuring two large citrines with a total weight of 34.8 carats; a 10-night stay at a home for 8 guests in Majorca, Spain; an exquisite wine dinner for 10 in the legendary wine library at Tony’s; a seven night stay in a luxurious gated resort community in Punta Barco, Panama; and a surprise live auction addition of a vodka tasting for four guests with Actor Jeremy Renner in Houston – that went twice to the highest bidders!
The Women’s Fund supporters and sponsors included: Jackie Macha and Brian Faulkner, Martha Walton, Meghan and Jerry Hughes Jr., Mary Beth Robinson, McGovern Medical School, UT Health Houston, Pierpont Communications, Wine Sponsor Marilyn and Tom Sumner along with Flowers, Piere Sparr, Tolaini, Windracer Wines; Entertainment Sponsor Insperity, Dinner Course Sponsor The Seff Family; Champagne Sponsor Madame Zero; Cocktail Sponsor Bobby Yazdani; Floral Sponsor HEB; Valet Sponsor Pierpont; Auction Sponsor David Peck; A/V Sponsor Password Productions.
Board members in attendance included Nadia Akaweih, Monica Fulton, Stephanie Hill-Franco, Ginny Kinklin, Jackie Macha, Elysa Nelson, Katherine Parsley, Stephanie von Stein Schusterman, Lauren Summerville, Kathryn Tees, and Martha Walton. Advisory Board members in attendance included Philamena Baird, Cheryl Byington, Lindsey Duhon, Gina Gaston Elie, Kathy Johnson, Kathryn Nicholson, Mary Beth Robinson, Pat Sturdivant, Marilyn Sumner, Elaine Turner, and Tina Wrotenbery. Additional supporters included Venessa and Chuck Ames, Sylvia Forsythe, Worthington Hale, Chau Nguyen and Jay Sears, Heidi and Nick Rockecharlie, Shelly Hendry, Danny and Tammy Schoeder, and Consul General of Panama Jaime Sosa and Nuri Sosa.
About 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 health. Since 1979, The Women’s Fund has served women and girls by providing health education community seminars, programs, and publications.
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, visit www.thewomensfund.org, call 713-623-6543, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.