There were a dozen good reasons for the glittery turnout at Saks Fifth Avenue Tuesday night when the ABC-13 Women of Distinction were announced. These community minded honorees will be formally presented at the Winter Ball on Jan. 25.
Headlining the list of honorees was Rose Cullen, La Patronessa Straordinaria, a new honor this year, the Italian nomenclature inspired by the Winter Ball theme, Carnevale di Venezia.
Introduced as 2014 Women of Distinction by previous honoree Channel 13 KTRK news anchor Melanie Lawson were Jane-Page Crump, Winell Herron, Penny Loyd, Joella Mach, Bobbie Nau, Roz Pactor, Rachel Regan, Lisa Simon, Nancy Strohmer and Beth Wolff. Joining them in the spotlight as Women of Distinction Ambassador was Beth Madison.
The honorees and stylish crowd were welcomed by Winter Ball chairs Denise Monteleone and Franelle Rogers along with Saks GM Bobby Dees, who insured that everything in the designer salon was perfection. The warm welcome was geared to inspire support for the gala evening that will benefit the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.
Applauding the 2014 honorees were Kathy McCord, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Weezie Dees, Barbara and Don Jordan, Philamena and Arthur Baird, Mary Ann and Dr. Bob Wilkins, Terrie and Mike Turner and Jan Carson and Tim Connolly.
Winter Ball chairs Franelle Rogers, from left, and Denise Monteleone are joined by Jess and Betty Tutor at Women of Distinction announcement party.
