The Winter Ball silver anniversary was a sterling salute to Houston's Women of Distinction

Beyond Winter Ball chairs Evelyn Lightman and Barbara Scott, builder Ed McMahon had to be the proudest person in the room at the Hilton Americas-Houston on Saturday night. He along with Norma Myers, now living in Dallas, founded the Women of Distinction gala 25 years ago.

In the interim, the black-tie event has raised millions of dollars for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America and honored more than 200 of the city's leading ladies.

Taking bows on this evening as ABC-13 Women of Distinction were Terry Brown, Diane Watson Cain, Dr. Kelli Cohen-Fein, Susan Plank, Kathi Rovere, Millette Sherman, Y. Ping Sun, Mary Ann Reynolds Wilkins, Judge Clarease Yates and Robin Young-Ellis. Stepping into the spotlight as Women of Distinction Ambassador was Betty Tutor.

Donna and Tony Vallone served as honorary chairs.

Gala guests are still raving about Darryl Murchison's fab decor. He dared put down white carpet in the ballroom, a stunning touch, and then decorated in swaths of red and silver. In short, it was spectacular.

The dazzling crowd included Pattie Dale and Jim Tye, Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer, Ileana and Michael Trevino, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Alina and Robert Garcia, Vanessa and Perry Sendukas, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Joanne King Herring, Margaret Williams and Jim Daniel, Philamena and Arthur Baird, Carol and Allan Meason and Valinda and Walter Weibel of the gala's presenting sponsor Mercedes-Benz.