The Luncheon Diaries

Dallas’ most distinctive women power big-deal luncheon devoted to girls

The Hilton Anatole was the epicenter of girl power recently when chairwoman Katherine Coker welcomed hundreds to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Women of Distinction Luncheon, an annual event that honors women and girls who have made a lasting impact on their communities.

Attendees — including former first lady Laura Bush, Jenna Bush Hager, Gene Jones, Maggie Cooke Kipp, Kate Rose Marquez, Rachel Michell, and Anne Dyer — got all caught up before dining on a hearty lunch. Although several ladies entered the raffle for a chance at a grand prize, everyone already felt like a winner because of the Thin Mints that awaited them at their seats. Hey, it's the little things, people!

And then it was on to the big things. Jan Rees-Jones received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her community leadership and service to others. She won over the crowd with her candid comments about her fear of public speaking, saying that life was all about stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Anna Michele Bobadilla and Geraldine “Tincy” Miller received the Women of Distinction Awards for their civic involvement and positive impact on the community. Bobadilla shared an inspiring story (via video) of her upbringing and how her parents encouraged her to chase her dreams.

Devon Bray and Sruthi Tummala received the Young Women of Distinction awards for their outstanding leadership and exemplary Girl Scouting. Both young ladies impressed the crowd with their public speaking skills and their mature perspectives, thanking the Girl Scouts and their parents for helping them get to where they are today.

After the awards were doled out, keynote speaker Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, spoke about the importance of getting young girls the computing skills necessary to explore 21st century job opportunities. Her wit and passion on the subject had everyone in the room on board with closing the gender gap in technology.

Saujani was especially excited to talk about the groundbreaking of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas' STEM Center of Excellence in South Dallas, which will serve as a living lab of sorts for local scouts. Girls kindergarten through 12th grades can explore science, technology, engineering, and math in a girl-centered environment.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves more than 27,000 girls and 12,500 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties. This dynamic leadership organization works toward the simple goal of making the world a better place through the confidence, character, and courage of its members.

Holly Cooksey, Courtney Bono, Cynthia Bowen

Photo by Dana Driensky

Holly Cooksey, Courtney Bono, Cynthia Bowen

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Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

Jazz and classical mix at Dallas Symphony Orchestra's New Orleans-style gala

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

For one night only, Dallasites got to pretend they were in the Big Easy without ever leaving Texas. More than 420 guests gathered at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on September 28 for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's gala, themed this year around the colorful culture of New Orleans.

The evening began with a champagne cocktail reception featuring the David Washburn Jazz Band playing New Orleans-style jazz on the Meyerson’s radial staircase. When the time came to transition to dinner service, members of the DSO Young Musicians played “Oh When the Saints Go Marching In” and led a second-line-style procession down the steps and through the lobby.

DSO gala 2024 It'd be impossible not to follow them.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Gala chairs Laura Harris-Means and Patrick Means, along with honorary chairs Cassandra and Avery Johnson, followed with umbrellas waving above their heads to signal to guests that it was time to be seated for an elegant dinner. The New Orleans theme continued with a Creole-inspired menu that included filet of beef, blackened Gulf prawns, asparagus, dauphinoise potatoes, and tricolored carrots.

DSO gala 2024. Patrick Means and Laura Harris-Means led the second line.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Spotted at the tables were Venise and Larry Stuart, Marena and Roger Gault, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Rachel and John Koryl, Chuck Steelman, Nancy A. Nasher, David J. Haemisegger, Grace Cook, Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, and District 14 Councilmembers Paul Ridley and Jamie Resendez.

After dinner, guests moved into the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall to enjoy world-renowned pianist Lang Lang in his first appearance with the DSO orchestra since the 2016 DSO gala.

The sold-out concert begin with Dallas Symphony Association chair of the Board of Governors Cece Smith thanking the 1,700 concert attendees. Smith then introduced Michelle Miller Burns, the DSO’s new president and CEO, who reminded the crowd that proceeds from the evening support the DSO’s education programs, including the Young Strings and The Kim Noltemy Young Musicians programs. These programs touch the lives of more than 243,000 North Texas residents annually, including more than 30,000 children.

DSO gala 2024 Laura Harris-Means and Young Strings student Patrick Miranda.Photo by Kristina Bowman

The 28 Young Strings, Young Musicians, and Teen Council students who were in the audience then stood to thunderous applause.

And with that, the legendary Lang Lang took to the stage on piano alongside the DSO, conducted by music director Fabio Luisi. On the program were Rachmaninoff’s expressively virtuosic Second Piano Concerto and two encores, Charlotte Sohy’s "Romance" followed by his own arrangement of the Disney/Elton John hit “Can You Feel the Love Tonight."

DSO gala 2024 Lang Lang during the performance.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

After the performance, guests returned to a lobby that had been magically transformed into Club Toulouse, an Cajun-flavored after-party experience with savory snacks, sweet desserts, and dancing to tunes spun by DJ Endolena.

DSO gala 2024 Guests danced their hearts out at the after-party.Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Photo by Kristina Bowman

Patrick Means, Laura Harris-Means, Cassandra Johnson, Avery Johnson.

Next year’s gala is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025.

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