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    Ladies of the Nile

    Hunky near naked "guards" and a snake charmer make this distinctive women power gala unforgettable

    Shelby Hodge
    Jan 27, 2015 | 1:44 pm

    When Winter Ball chairs Elizabeth Stein and Patti Murphy selected "A Night on the Nile" as the theme of the annual Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America gala, they could hardly have anticipated the rave reviews of the visually stunning evening.

    Their phones and emails were busy, busy on Sunday as praise poured in for the evening that transformed the ballroom of the Hilton Americas-Houston into a time travel sensation. Bare-chested pharaoh's guards welcomed guests while richly-costumed Anthony and Cleopatra romped through the black-tie crowd of 650 and a snake charmer tested the bravery of guests who might be willing to handle the reptile.

    The 2015 KTRK Channel 13 Women of Distinction were presented against a backdrop of massive videos and images from Egypt, first camels strolling past the pyramids, boats on the Nile and antiquities. Kudos to ArtAttack and Password Productions for executing the brilliant decor.

    A dozen women were honored on this night including Queen of the Nile Pat Breen and 2015 Ambassador Trini Mendenhall. The 2015 class of Women of Distinction were Carol Beck, Suzan Deison, Lesha Elsenbrook, Gayla Gardner, Carol Linn, Kim Moody, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Susan Osterberg, Cynthia Petrello and Roberta Schwartz.

    Also taking bows in the spotlight and strolling the catwalk were more than 50 leading ladies, who were previously honored as Women of Distinction during the Winter Ball's 27-year history.

    Terrie and Mike Turner served as honorary chairs of the gala that raised close to $900,000, a record for the event. Adding to the bottom line was the auction of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 sedan, donated by Mercedes-Benz Dealers of Greater Houston, a necklace and earring set created by Franco Valobra and the Lucky Key draw that opened King Tut's Treasure for a $15,000 gift certificate to Tenenbaum & Co.

    Celebrating with the Women of Distinction were Don Murphy, Alan Stein, Linda and Jerry Fields, Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Kristina and Paul Somerville, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Claudia and Jan Rask and Janet and Tom Behanick.

    Sharon and Doug Owens, left, with Yvonne Cormier.

      
    Photo by © Kim Coffman
    Sharon and Doug Owens, left, with Yvonne Cormier.
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    Blush and Bubbles

    A pink takeover brings hope and funds for American Cancer Society luncheon

    Joel Luks
    Jun 27, 2025 | 4:00 pm
    American Cancer Society Tickled Pink Luncheon 2025
    Photo by Jacob Power
    Leila Perrin, Brandi Sikes, Rick Smith, Myrtle Jones, and Gaye Lynn Zarrow.

    The Post Oak Hotel was awash in shades of blush, rose, and fuchsia as more than 650 supporters turned out for the American Cancer Society Quantum Capital Tickled Pink Luncheon presented by HEB. Chair Sippi Khurana and honorary chairs Leisa Holland-Nelson-Bowman, Donna Lewis, and Beth Wolff proudly steered the record-breaking affair, which raised an impressive $700,000 for breast cancer research, education, and patient support.

    The scene inside the ballroom was a pink dreamscape, with blooms cascading across a floral photo wall where guests lined up for snapshots. Tables dressed in soft pink linens and shimmering accents set a cheerful yet poignant mood.

    Fittingly, bottomless champagne glasses kept spirits bubbly, and a sweepstakes featuring seven enviable prizes sold out quickly, stoking the crowd's philanthropic energy.

    ABC13's Gina Gaston emceed the afternoon, guiding attendees through moments of reflection and celebration. A particularly moving segment came when everyone in the ballroom was asked to stand if they had been personally impacted by cancer, whether as a survivor, caregiver, or supporter. In a striking visual, nearly every guest rose, underscoring the luncheon’s deep personal meaning.

    Honorees Myrtle Jones, Leila Perrin, Brandi Sikes, Rick Smith, and Gaye Lynn Zarrow each had a favorite inspirational quote read aloud in their honor, while past honoree Janette Marx captivated the room with her powerful testimony of resilience during her breast cancer journey. The atmosphere shifted from misty-eyed emotion to energetic generosity during a lively paddle raise and auction, led by entertainer Johnny Bravo, where a Jared Lehr-designed jewel-studded necklace alone sparked a $36,000 bidding frenzy.

    The event closed on a high note with keynote speaker and Olympic legend Shannon Miller, who spoke candidly about overcoming her own battle with cancer, leaving the crowd uplifted and inspired.

    Among those in the crowd were Jennifer Allison, Nancy Almodovar, Ann Ayre, Alice Mao Brahms, Anna Bryant, Juliet Breeze, Sue Burnett, Cheryl Byington, Tripp Carter, Allison Lewis Cattan, Yvonne Cormier, Laura Davenport, Suzan Deison, Kathy De La Mora, Nancy Dinerstein, Lesha Elsenbrook, Donya Gardner, Gayla Gardner, Marilu Garza, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Maritza Gonzales, Lisa Graham-Garza, Sheri Gross, Winell Herron, Mady Kades, Brigitte Kalai, Mandy Kao, Evelyn Leightman, Stacey Lindseth, Julie Longoria Chen, Vicki Luna, Tama Lundquist, DeeDee Marsh, Janette Masten Gardner, Shawntell McWilliams, Jan Mendenhall, Sneha Merchant, Kim Moody, Patti Murphy, Roz Pactor, David Peck, Amy Pierce, Sandra Porter, Lauren Randle, Heidi Rockecharlie, Rosemary Schatzman, Elizabeth Stein, Marguerite Swartz, Katie Tsuru, Kim Tutcher, Phoebe Tudor, Betty Tutor, Merele Yarborough, Stuart Zarrow, and Jenny Todd. And many, many others.

    American Cancer Society Tickled Pink Luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Power

    Leila Perrin, Brandi Sikes, Rick Smith, Myrtle Jones, and Gaye Lynn Zarrow.

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