At age 91-years-old, Barbara Bush isn't slowing down. The former first lady was recently honored at two events: The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild Tea with Mrs. Bush and Children at Risk’s annual Accolades luncheon.
The Ladies for Literacy Guild, a subsidiary of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation which works to improve the quality of life for Houston residents through the power of literacy, hosted a tea for over 185 guild members and invited guests at the Memorial-area home of Sue and Lester Smith. Catered by Culinaire, light bites and beverages were served as music was performed Houston-based band, Moodafaruka.
Following the reception, the group gathered in the Smith’s ballroom as the former first lady expressed her gratitude to the women for supporting the literacy cause.
In the audience were Ladies for Literacy Guild president Betty Hrncir, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation president Julie Baker Finck, Brenda Love, Cora Sue Mach, Sidney Faust, Annette Strake, Lilly Andress, Donatella Benckenstein, Alice Mosing, Ginger Blanton, and Cathy Cleary.
Mehrnaz Gill, Rhonda Graff, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Stephanie Tsuru, Marianne Ivany, Beth Wolff, Anne Mendelsohn, Gloria Portela, Carol Sawyer, Y. Ping Sun, Joanne King Herring, Diane Lokey Farb, Susan Sarofim, Kelli Cohen Fein, Pamela Roberts, Terri Havens, and Catherine Herring also turned out for the cause.
Bush was also the center of attention at the Children at Risk luncheon at Hotel ZaZa with the theme of “Parenting – Pathways to Family Well-Being.”
The event, chaired by Laura and Steve Jones, attracted more than 350 Houstonians in support the organization, which works to improve health and nutrition for children, public education, and eliminate child trafficking, as well as provide parent education classes.
The former first lady was honored along with Houston Rockets owner Les Alexander, Greater Houston Partnership president Bob Harvey, and Drs. Eileen and Angelo Giardino. Co-emcees Melissa Wilson of FOX-26 and Children at Risk president and CEO Dr. Bob Sanborn presented them with artwork created by students at IDEA College Preparatory Allan in Austin, Texas.
Judge Eric Andell served as gala auctioneer, helping to raise additional funds for the non-profit by encouraging guests to bid on items from a Houston Rockets Game Day package to a three-night stay in London.
The crowd included Maria and Neil Bush, Carolyn Farb, Larry Payne, HD Chambers, Kelly Butler, and Devika Kornbacher.
Sue Smith, Barbara Bush at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild Tea.
