cultural showcase

Houston moms sparkle with international flair at fashionable luncheon

One doesn’t have to meander far from home in Houston to have a worldly experience. On Saturday, May 11, 2024 — a day before Mother’s Day — a stopover at the Junior League of Houston sure beats the layover often necessary to gallivant across the globe. Leave the luggage at home for this one, kids.

Thank media maven Ruchi Mukherjee for that.

The stylish social butterfly was at it again, hosting the 11th Annual International Mother’s Day Luncheon presented by LCAHouston. More than just a repast among fashionable media personalities and their families and friends, the event showcased the cultural diversity and richness found right here while honoring the matriarchs of the Bayou City — and a handful of fathers, too.

These moms and dads took to the runway and strutted in gleaming duds that revealed what was special about their heritage, slaying the catwalk with their sons and daughters by their side. The room was outfitted with subtle shades of blues and whites to allow the fashion to vibe and sparkle. Honorees for this edition of the luncheon were Dr. Olga Bachilo, Dr. Brenda Rios Brombacher, Cortney Cole, Rose Chen, Monica Fulton, Blanca Jolly, Katherine Le, Luanne Marshall, Rekha Muddaraj, Amie Parker, Yong Tran, Katherine Whaley, and Leisa Holland-Nelson. The dads, holding their own, included Dr. Rick Kline, James Dale, Walter Sassard, and Gordon Quan. Each honoree received a glass trophy as a token of gratitude for their community service and dedication to their families.

KTRK reporters Pooja Lodhia and Mycah Hatfield served as emcees, engaging in a heart-to-heart chat with Mukherjee, who professed her views about her purpose. “When you empower a mother, you empower a nation,” she said.

Mukherjee unveiled the latest print edition of LCAHouston, featuring a collaboration with UNICEF and highlighting global trailblazers. Mukherjee also revealed that she said yes to marriage. She’s set to tie the knot with Sassard in November at The Bryan Museum in Galveston.

Seen among the throng of 250 were Eileen Lawal, Susan Boggio, Ann Holmes, Miya Shay, Corbett Parker, Lindsay Yates,Dr. Sippi Khurana, Felicia Stone, Dr. Alice Mao, Christy Lynn, Vicki Rizzo, Roz Pactor, Neil Badlani, and Chris Whaley.

Courtesy of LCAHouston

2024 LCAHouston International Mothers’s Day Honorees.

fundraisers lcahouston mothers day

festive giving

Nutcracker Market preview rings in $1.22M for Houston Ballet

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Devon Furl, Joey Goana, and Jessica Mercado.

The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market Wells Fargo Preview Party brought Houston’s holiday spirit to the forefront, transforming NRG Center into a winter shopping, giving, and mingling party. This year’s preview social on November 13 raised $1.22 million to support the Houston Ballet, its Academy, and scholarship programs — helping set the stage for another magical season. Market chairmen Megan Kessler and Tracey Williford, along with Preview Party chairmen Cecilia Campbell, Ann Graham, and Blair Kessler, pulled out all the stops to make this night one for the holiday books.

Shoppers strolled through a treasure trove of unique finds from more than 270 merchants, including 25 first-time vendors. Market mainstays like The Royal Standard with their iconic Nutcracker tote bags, The Roundtop Collection, and Paul Michael Company delighted longtime fans with seasonal decor and holiday gifts.

The evening sparkled with live tunes by the David Caceres Orchestra, keeping the mood merry and bright as gusts sipped on cocktails. Balletomanes turned up in their best holiday attire, ready to browse, buy, and be dazzled by the one-of-a-kind offerings. David Chambers, a former fixture in Houston’s fundraising scene, flew in to join dance aficionados from the Pennsylvania Ballet, where he now serves as chief advancement officer.

Wells Fargo took center stage with its ongoing Small Business Diversity Program, launched in 2023 to support minority-owned businesses. This year’s Market spotlighted returning favorites like Africa on My Back and Qué Bonito Mexican and Fashion, along with new arrivals Twilight Candle Co. and Tori Artis Planners, who brought fresh perspectives and products to this festive Houston tradition.

Sporting holiday sass were Ann Chao, Carolyn Sabat, Nina Jackson, Rose Harshfield, Twana Griffith Faykus, Patrick Benge, Melissa Reihle, Susan Binney, Jennifer Kushner, Sunday Shepherd, Jo Furr, Mignon Gill, Kristy Bradshaw, Stanton Welch, Carey Kirkpatrick, Julie Kent, Deb Koehler, Rose Cullen, Shawn Stevens, Lauren Anderson, Amy Pincu, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Beth Muecke, and Patti Murphy.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Devon Furl, Joey Goana, and Jessica Mercado.

fundraisers shopping nutcracker market