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George W. Bush to deliver keynote speech at 20th annual Genesis Women's Shelter Luncheon
When the George W. Bush Presidential Center opens May 1 at SMU, Genesis Women's Shelter will break in the new digs with an exclusive party recognizing the recipient of the Jane Doe award, the Women's Initiative of the Bush Institute.
Less than 24 hours later, former President George W. Bush will return the favor by speaking at the Genesis Women's Shelter 20th Annual Luncheon at the Hilton Anatole.
In past years, Genesis called upon prestigious keynote speakers — such as NBC journalist Tom Brokaw in 2011 and former Secretary of State General Colin Powell in 2012 — so we were expecting someone special.
But this year, executive director Jan Langbein and luncheon co-chairs Susan Wells and Angela Nash went above and beyond, snagging the president as keynote and Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan as honorary chair for the May 2 event — the largest fundraising event for Genesis.
The shelter has provided services to abused and neglected women throughout Dallas for two decades. And because it's such a vital resource for women in the city, the speaker must be chosen wisely.
"With President Bush and Nolan Ryan serving as a double header at this year's luncheon, our theme is appropriate named 'Texas Legends. American Heroes,'" Langbein said in a statement.
"We look forward to hearing from President Bush, a leader who has championed the rights of many, as he shares with our 2,000 supporters from the corporate, sports, business and philanthropic communities who stand against domestic violence."