More than a pretty face

Brooke Shields to headline trailblazing Dallas nonprofit's big fall fundraiser

UPDATE: The date has been changed to October 10.

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Model, actress, and author Brooke Shields will deliver the keynote address at the 2023 Trailblazer Awards Luncheon on September 29 at the Hilton Anatole. The annual fundraiser - one of Dallas' most anticipated luncheons of fall - benefits The Family Place, Texas’ largest family violence service agency marking its 45th year.

Lindsay Jacaman and Holly Krug will serve as luncheon co-chairs, with philanthropists and former Real Housewives of Dallas stars Stephanie and Travis Hollman as honorary chairs, the organization announced on June 6.

"We hope attendees will be inspired by our featured speaker Brooke Shields as she shares her unique story and her personal resilience that led her to become the role model she is today," says The Family Place CEO Mimi Sterling in a release. "Through the collective efforts of our co-chairs and honorary chairs, we know we will raise important funds to serve women, men and children in need of safety."

Shields, who turned 58 on May 31, has made headlines recently as the topic of a critically acclaimed new docu-series about her life. Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, released in April on Hulu, examines her journey "from a sexualized young girl to a Princeton graduate, mother, and advocate who has embraced her identity and voice," Hulu says.

Shields famously started her career as a child star, becoming - at age 14 - the youngest fashion model ever to grace on the cover of Vogue. In addition to garnering awards as an actress onscreen, Shields is now a best-selling author and creator of an apparel and accessories line called Brooke Shields Timeless.

The wife and mother of two teen daughters is also, the release notes, "an advocate for women and the arts and serves on the board of WIN, an organization dedicated to providing housing, services and programs to homeless women and children in New York City."

The Trailblazer Awards Luncheon is The Family Place's biggest annual fundraiser. Proceeds will help further the nonprofit's mission to empower survivors of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling, and skills that create independence, organizers say.

The event will include a VIP reception, seated luncheon, and recognition of this year’s Texas Trailblazer Award recipient (not yet announced). Tickets start at $350 are available on The Family Place's website.

Family Place Luncheon 2023, Brooke Shields

Courtesy photo

Brooke Shields will headline the Trailblazer Awards Luncheon on September 29.

Brooke Shields docu-series.Texas Trailblazer Award recipient.celebrities fundraisers luncheons

Power lunch

Room to Grow Luncheon blooms in spring garden at NorthPark Dallas

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Ashlynn Bourque, Traci Connell, Michele Traylor

What: 8th Annual Room to Grow Luncheon benefiting Dec My Room

Where: Neiman Marcus Garden at NorthPark Center

The 411: A sold-out crowd of nearly 300 guests gathered April 8 for the 2026 Room to Grow Luncheon, chaired by Erika Burton and Melissa Smrekar with honorary chair Nancy Nasher. The springtime affair embraced a charming, Nancy Meyers film-inspired aesthetic, with attendees arriving in breezy, movie set-worthy looks to match the theme.

Guests sipped prosecco and mini Diet Cokes and mingled while admiring one-of-a-kind miniature “rooms” designed by some of Dallas’ most distinguished interior designers: Javier Burkle (Burkle Creative), Traci Connell (Traci Connell Interiors), Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry (Pulp Design Studios), Teddie Garrigan and Courtney Garrigan (Coco and Dash), Lisa Henderson (Lisa Henderson Interiors), Eddie Maestri (Maestri Studio), Noel Pittman (Noel Pittman Design), and Jen Stevens (Fonde Interiors). All would be auctioned to benefit Dec My Room, which creates personalized spaces for pediatric patients facing long-term hospital stays.

Inside the garden, guests dined on a luncheon by Chocolate Angel, featuring dishes inspired by Nancy Meyers' iconic Father of the Bride (such as Chipper Chicken Salad). A spring fashion presentation by Neiman Marcus, introduced by Marjon Henderson, added stylish flair, while a design panel gave attendees insider perspectives from industry creatives including Burkle, Jane Scott Hodges of Leontine Linens, and Tori Ross of Schumacher.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Ashlynn Bourque, Traci Connell, Michele Traylor

Dec My Room North Texas area director Heather Smith also honored standout supporters: Terra Najork-Peterson with the Monarch Servant Heart Award; Renza DePirro with the Heart of Gold Volunteer Award; and Samantha Allen with the Celebrate Flight Award.

To learn more about Dec My Room and its mission, visit the organization's website.

Who: Dec My Room co-founder and president Kendall Plank; Karen Michlewicz, Keely Allen, Izzy Haemisegger, Ashlynn Bourque, Michele Traylor, Dana Aulanier, Marisa Carona, Courtney Dowling, Maddy Artunduaga, Brittaney Mungioli, Megan Morrow, Jessica Khan, Samantha Wortley, Jennifer Klos, Annie Roche, Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Mackenzie Brittingham, Kristen Gibbins, Dawn Greiner, Erin Mathews, Kristin Williams, Courtney Derderian, Shelby Foster, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.

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