parties

First-Ever 'New Beginnings' Lunch Lauds Courage of Domestic-Abuse Survivors, Raises $300K

First-Ever 'New Beginnings' Lunch Lauds Courage of Domestic-Abuse Survivors, Raises $300K

Chairs Sarah Barrett, Jessica Leeke, Alexis Smith, Rachel Delaney

THE INAUGURAL NEW Beginnings lunch, hosted by and benefiting AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse), raised nearly $300,000.

The Junior League of Houston ballroom was packed with guests who enjoyed signature cocktails like Empowerment Punch while they perused the silent auction. One coveted item was a piece of art designed and donated by Kimmie Gillespie, a survivor of domestic abuse.

Courtney Zavala emceed, ushering guests to their tables for a seated lunch and introducing speakers such as AVDA CEO Maisha Colter, who had all survivors or those who know a survivor to stand — driving home the pervasiveness of the issue and also helping to remove the stigma.

The lunch honored Stephanie von Stein Schusterman with the Ambassador of Advocacy title, and also featured best-selling author Janine Latus, who spoke on her personal experience with domestic violence.

Succulent Bar provided party favors in the form of a customized plant, signifying "New Beginnings."

Amy Dougherty, Veronica Griffin

Allison Fisher, Julia Stallcup

Stephanie von Stein Schusterman, Maisha Colter

Andi Minett, Courtney Paddock

Stephanie Tsuru, Katie Tsuru

Beth Wolff, Chreyl Byington, Marilu Garza, Leila Perrin, Sandra Porter, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman

Jayne Johnston, Karen McCarthy, Kathleen Camp

Rees Anderson, Mario Gudmundsson

Lorna Klebe, Eileen Silverman, Silvia Max

Kimmie Gillespie, Clara Orlean

Mignon Gill, Kristen Cannon

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Parties
promoted

Propose in Style at The Westin Houston Medical Center/Museum District

Stephen Mendoza Photography
Propose in Style at The Westin Houston Medical Center/Museum District

Photo by Stephen Mendoza Photography

SEEKING TO MAKE your proposal as beautiful and bright as your love? Look no further than The Westin Houston Medical Center, a haven of contemporary sophistication, where love stories unfold amidst exquisite surroundings.

Keep Reading Show less
food

Mutiny Wine Room Fetes Fifth Anniversary with Party This Month

MUTINY WINE ROOM in the Heights is celebrating five years with a bash this month. Opening just months before the pandemic, the tasting-room-style bar and restaurant is run by Emily Trout and Mark Ellenberger, who also own Kagan Cellars in Napa Valley.

Keep Reading Show less
Food
news

Gwen Stefani, Amal Clooney and Others Arrive in Houston This Weekend for Major Downtown Conference

A giant astronaut now looks over Discovery Green where the PCMA conference will host its opening event

AMAL CLOONEY, LIZ Cheney and Brené Brown will be in Houston this week to speak at the Professional Convention Management Association’s annual conference. Houston First is bringing the conference — for meeting-planners who work on behalf of companies and associations to book conventions — to town. Houston First president and CEO Michael Heckman has referred to the event as “the Super Bowl of our industry,” as the organization hopes to book $200 million in new incremental business over the next five years.

Keep Reading Show less