What: Third annual 4word Divine Design Gala
Whre: Renaissance Dallas Hotel
The 411: The 2019 4word gala, "Celebrating Women Empowerment," brought more than 400 women and men from around the country to Dallas on March 2. Event chair Debbie Dillon and honorary chairs Ka Cotter, Dorthy Miller Shore, and Kathryn Waldrep planned a grand event.
The main attraction was a talk by two powerhouse women in home design and entrepreneurship: Laura Tucker, lead designer for Joanna and Chip Gaines’ Magnolia Homes, and Susan Packard, co-founder and former chief operating officer of HGTV. From the stage, they shared how their faith and passion empowered them to shape their successful careers.
Tucker was lead designer and project manager of renovations for all five seasons of Fixer Upper with Joanna Gaines and was the design lead on Magnolia Bakery and Magnolia Table in Waco. "She developed her design skills and talent within her first and current role with Magnolia," the organization says in a release.
Packard joined the TV industry in her 20s and helped build marquee TV brands like CNBC, HGTV, and Food Network. "The strategies she learned to survive and thrive in male-dominated industries became the core of her first book, New Rules of the Game," the organization says. "During her tenure as chief operating officer of HGTV, it became one of the fastest growing TV brands in history, with a market value of over $14 billion."
Silent and live auctions and donations, plus other revenue, helped raise more than $70,000, and in total, the event raised 30 percent more than the previous year's gala.
Proceeds benefit 4word, a community founded by Diane Paddison that empowers and inspires women in the workplace through personal connection and mentoring. The 4word mentoring program has paired 400 women as mentors and mentees.
The deadline for applications for the summer mentoring program is May 3. Details are available on the website www.4wordwomen.org.
Who: Tammy Lillie, Kim Heavner, Pam Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Shea Davis, Brigette Orrick, Steve George, Brenda George, Liz George, Rhonda Vestal, Sharon Herrin, Kathy Redfern, Coni Hennersdorf, Adrianne Watson, Arthur Watson, Morgan Summers, Donna Summers, and Tabitha Denney.
Dorthy Miller Shore, Kathryn Waldrep, Ka Cotter
It'd be impossible not to follow them.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon
Patrick Means and Laura Harris-Means led the second line.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon
Laura Harris-Means and Young Strings student Patrick Miranda.Photo by Kristina Bowman
Lang Lang during the performance.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon
Guests danced their hearts out at the after-party.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon
