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

Gordon Quan, James Dale, and Walter Sassard.

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Party Watch

Giselle-inspired evening sets the stage for 2026 Houston Ballet Ball

Photo by Annie Mulligan

Laura Dandridge, Jean Peck, and Paige Fertitta.

What: Houston Ballet Ball Kickoff

Photo by Annie Mulligan

Laura Dandridge, Jean Peck, and Paige Fertitta.

Where: The Fertitta family residence

The Scoop: A who’s who of Houston’s arts scene gathered in the glittering River Oaks home owned by Paige Fertitta for an elegant evening to toast the upcoming 2026 Houston Ballet Ball, set for February 21. A live pianist set the tone as Houston Ballet Trustees, patrons, and supporters sipped Champagne Madame Zero and grazed on charcuterie by Grotto Downtown, luxe passed bites, and a showstopping caviar bar courtesy of La Griglia.

Sonja Kostich, executive director of Houston Ballet, welcomed guests with heartfelt thanks, spotlighting key players behind the scenes, including ball chairs Christine and David M. Underwood Jr., and the 2026 honorees Richard Flowers and Houston First, represented by Paula Whitten-Doolin.

The night’s big reveal? This year’s Ballet Ball theme, drawn from Act II of Stanton Welch’s ethereal Giselle — a haunting woodland dream world brought to life in rich greens and blues. As a preview of the main event, Flowers and The Events Company transformed the Fertitta home into an enchanting forest-inspired fête.

Attendees didn’t leave empty-handed — or empty-handed themselves. Guests contributed prized bottles to the Ballet Ball Wine Cellar, setting the stage for a highly competitive silent auction.

Who: Ada Agbor, Cynthia and Bucky Allshouse, Susan and Gary Binney, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Cheryl Byington, Zoe Cadore, Kristen Cannon, Anne and Albert Chao, Margaret Cox, Tracy and Valerie Dieterich, Bruce and Pamela Earthman, Lesha Elsenbrook, Blayne Fertitta, Angel Rios, Lily Chen Foster and Charles Foster, Ellie Francisco, Jo Furr, Mignon Gill, Victoria Gutierrez, Jayne Johnston, Jennifer and Christopher Laporte, Amy LeBlanc, Petra Martinez, Jean and Henry May, Kris McGee, Lauren and Jordan Mintz, Desrye Morgan, Beth Muecke, Patti and Don Murphy, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Tammy and Wayne Nguyen, Cabrina Owsley, Karen Payne, Melissa Reihle, Shara and Kent Schaffer, Tricia and Mark Singer, Sunday Shepherd, Alicia Smith, Liliana Soltero and Mike Hawkins, Tatiana Sorkin and Michel Coret, S. Shawn Stephens, Stephanie Tsuru, Marguerite Swartz, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, and Beth Wolff.

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