The Junior League of Houston was all abuzz for LCAHouston International Society News Magazine’s eighth-annual Mother’s Day Soirée. Media maven and soirée host, Ruchi Mukherjee, pulled out all the stops for a fashionable luncheon and style show featuring 12 of Houston’s most notable mothers.
Each year, the Mother’s Day Soirée honors a diverse group of exemplary women who show distinction in their professions and dedication to their families.
This year’s honorees represented mothers from a range of occupations and cultural backgrounds, including Deepika Agarwal, Sandra Smith Cooper, Shaobo Du, Tracy Faulkner, Clare Fontenot Gray, Tammie Ann Johnson, Denise Middleton, April Salazar, Khatidja Soofi Vellani, Milka Waterland, Fabia Younus, and Wendy Granato.
The lively event boasted a lavish “Paris to Bombay” theme, capturing Karl Lagerfeld’s inspiration for Chanel’s legendary Pre-Fall 2012 collection.
Event planner Nahida Ebrahim of Houston Events Creations ensured that the room was impeccable. Beige-colored floral arrangements by Rosa De Cafe Florist topped each table, and clean black linens ensured that nothing would distract from guests’ impressive couture.
Emcees Dr. Sippi Khurana and KPRC Channel 2 News anchor/reporter Keith Garvin welcomed guests and introduced honorary chairs, Toni and Howard Tate. Attendees noshed on a delicious chicken salad lunch as former Times of India correspondent and entreprenuer Mukherjee took the stage explaining her mission.
“I’ve never been one to plan my speeches,” shared Mukherjee. “But if there’s one thing I want you all to remember today it is this: when you empower a mother, you empower a nation.”
Roses in hand, and with their children beside them, honorees strutted the stage as their names were called in fashionable gowns from Salvation Army benefit Carolina Herrera to local designer Sameera Faridi. Each honoree received a beautiful glass trophy and a warm embrace from Mukherjee.
To conclude the festivities, Granato, president of CultureMap news partner ABC13, shared her thoughts on balancing family and a thriving professional career.
“Mothers, I urge you to never stop investing in yourself,” she told the crowd. “I have learned from my years as a leader in my industry that being a mom has made a better leader — and being a leader has made me a better mom.”
The International Mother’s Day Soirée started in 2013 has had a significant impact on Houston’s social scene, bridging the gap between Houston’s ethnic and mainstream communities.
Mukherjee also announced that LCAHouston is expanding to The Woodlands, where an International Soirée Woodlands Edition will be happening in October.
Who: Staci Henderson, Sadaf Chaudhry, Swapnil Agarwal, Sneha Merchant, Mandy Kao, Miya Shay, Pooja Lodhia, Elia Gabbanelli, Harry Faulkner, Dr. Andy Johnson, Dr. Alice Mao, and Paromita Mitra.
Wendy Granato and Ruchi Mukherjee.
