What: Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon benefiting The Family Place
Where: Hilton Anatole
The 411: More than 700 attendees were welcomed by co-chairs Lindsay Jacaman and Holly Krug, honorary chairs Stephanie and Travis Hollman, and The Family Place CEO Mimi Sterling to one of the most highly anticipated charity events of fall.
The annual fundraiser benefits The Family Place, Texas’ largest family violence service agency, marking its 45th year.
VIPs started the day with a champagne reception and meet-and-greet with keynote speaker, model-actress Brooke Shields. During the seated luncheon, this year’s big award recipients were recognized. The Texas Trailblazer Award recipient was Mary Kay Inc. CEO Ryan Rogers.
The Family Place also honored Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia and State Representative Victoria Neave Criado with the Legislative Impact Award for their championing of Texas House Bill 5202, which creates a free violent offender database in Texas that empowers the public to make better informed decisions about their relationships.
After a spirited "paddle raise" fundraiser (with guests giving generously, from $100 to $25,000), the stage was turned over to NBC5 anchor Meredith Land and Shields for a half-hour chat. The wide-ranging conversation didn't shy away from tough topics. It included Shields' experiences as a child actor and model; her complicated but loving relationship with her mother and her own role as a mom to two daughters; having suffered with postpartum depression - her advice for those suffering quietly and how to seek help; and ageism in Hollywood.
Asked which Hollywood celebrity has had the greatest impact on her, she said, somewhat surprisingly, “the late Bob Hope, who was the first person who allowed me to be funny.”
Shields praised the work of The Family Place, telling the audience it is critical to have places where people are not afraid to feel broken.
“The work that you are all doing is so valuable and so necessary, and you are tireless and it is such an honor to be around you all," Shields said. "That’s the real work. It’s the stuff behind the scenes, and its helping people get back on their feet and teaching their children that they don’t have to live like this. To create a better future for themselves. It is God’s work.”
The 2024 Trailblazer Awards Luncheon date is still TBA, but Sterling announced that next year's luncheon co-chairs would be Lauren Black, First Lady of Dallas Nakita Johnson, Clarisa Lindenmeyer, and Lauren McKinnon.
Photo by Tamytha Cameron and Kelly Alexander
The Family Place CEO Mimi Sterling and Texas Trailblazer Award recipient Ryan Rogers
Who: Jane McGarry, Jennifer Spoonts, Jess Bass Bolander, Lauren McKinnon, Lauren Black, Keana Meyer, Lynn McBee, Harold Simpson, Betsy Simpson, Hollee Hirzel, Maleiah Rogers, Mary Smith, Susan Ray, Maria Parigi, Ana Yoder, Tina Danze, Cindy Beck, Penny Cook, Pat Faubion, Rose Futterknecht, Tiffany Cook, and hundreds more supporters of The Family Place.
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Laura Pierson (in Lela Rose), Francis Harrison (in St. John) Julianne Santarosa (in Terry John), Bailey Harrison (in Sue Gragg), Sharon Lee Clark (in Ese Azenabor), Caroline Harrison (in Sue Gragg) Photo by Ashley Gongora 