In case you were wondering where all the beautiful, talented and powerful women of Houston were Sunday morning, they were at Hughes Manor for Ladies Who Brunch, a sold-out Sky High event helping fight childhood cancer.
The rain and clouds couldn't keep the 180 women in attendance away from dressing in their Sunday best for a good cause for the ladies-only event complete with VIP swag bags, open bar, and a full brunch with an omelet station and crepe bar by chef David Cordua. Makeup artist and entrepreneur Jentry Kelley also created a signature lipstick for Sky High, which was given to all attendees.
The second annual brunch marked Sky High's 10-year anniversary — a decade of fighting the good fight with "boots on the ground," as Sky High founder and CEO Brittany Hebert likes to say. "Do something bigger than yourself," was her motto when starting Sky High a decade ago to help fight pediatric cancer and continue to bring some good into the world.
Among those in attendance was guest of honor Lara Trump, another influential female committed to helping end childhood cancer. "I know about the y'alls, I'm fine with that. And it's a whole lot nicer here than New York right now," said Trump, who is married to the president's son, Eric Trump.
"Once a Southern, you're always from the south," the North Carolina native said of her last decade in New York working with her husband's organization, The Eric Trump Foundation. She connected with the crowd almost immediately and even spoke of her pregnancy, which was announced just a few weeks ago.
"Children are the most precious segment of our society," she said, speaking of soon becoming a mother herself. "Your child has cancer are the four worst words a parent could hear," she continued.
The brunchers were then treated to a heartwarming story from Stephanie Carroll, a mother of four beautiful daughters. Carroll's second born, Drew, was diagnosed with pediatric cancer at the age of three. She shared the family's story of resilience, but how most of all, how no child should have to suffer from this disease. Only a few dry eyes remained in the audience as Carroll happily shared the news that her daughter Drew "rang the bell" in August and is now in remission.
As part of the day's activities, image consultant Helen Perry commented on the latest fashion trends for spring with women's looks from Elizabeth Anthony and children's styles from Bering's.
Funds raised at the event will go to pediatric cancer research at Texas Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To date, Sky High has raised $5 million dollars for pediatric cancer research.
This group of powerful women proves that social responsibility trumps social media any day. No pun intended.
Brittany Hebert, Jentry Kelley, Lara Trump, Callie Perez.
