health and hope

Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon empowers Houston women and girls

The ballroom of the Royal Sonesta was filled with Houstonians gathered to support The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency at the 14th Annual Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon. Held on November 3, the event aimed to empower Houston-area women and girls to take charge of their health and well-being.

Co-chairs Donae Chramosta and daughter Bella Chramosta set the tone for the “Spread Your Wings and Fly. Be Her.” luncheon, where guests flocked early to start their holiday shopping at a mini-market featuring 20 local vendors. The sparkle continued with the champagne raffle, where hopefuls popped bottles courtesy of champagne sponsor Pierpoint and dreamed of winning prizes donated by The Vintage Contessa and Times Past and Tego Jewelers.

Houston’s Partnerschools and The Treble Houston Choir greeted guests with lovely tunes while Gina Gaston from ABC13 served as emcee.

The event’s emotional core came as The Women’s Fund recognized Amy Pierce, a board member and advocate, with the Sue Trammell Whitfield Award for Resiliency. Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and co-founder of The Rose, received the John P. McGovern Foundation Champion in Women’s Health and Wellness Award, accepted on her behalf by board chair Shannon Weideseppe. Lifetime member Lili Kirchner was honored for her commitment to the organization, with more than 40 years of continuous support.

Keynote speaker Alexis Loving, CEO of Search Homeless Services, delivered a powerful talk on resilience, sharing her journey to “be someone” for others who need a steady hand.

The morning before the luncheon, The Women’s Fund hosted 90 young girls from their programs for an educational session, “Own Your Voice: Empowering Self-Advocacy for Girls,” led by Bella Chramosta, who spoke candidly about her personal health journey. The session, sponsored by Elizabeth Grimm offered the girls a chance to hear directly from a peer navigating the challenges of adolescence with resilience and grace.

Advisory board members Jackie Macha and Monica Fulton led a successful appeal, boosted by a $15,000 match from an anonymous donor. Presenting sponsor John P. McGovern Foundation, along with a notable roster of supporters, helped raise more than $300,000 for the organization.

Tossing to good health and good spirits were Stephanie Hill-Franco, Shaunna Mason, Natalie Mohtashami, Jillian Nel, Elysa Nelson, Mona Shah, Aradine Stephenson, Lauren K. Summerville, Kathryn Tees, Katie Tsuru, Martha Walton, Philamena Baird, Lindsey Duhon, Nan Duhon, Patricia Hogan Korge, Crystal Nguyen, Mary Beth Robinson, Elaine Turner, Rachel Regan, Laura Davenport, Aliza Dutt, Cherise Esparza Gutierrez, Jennifer Pinkerton, Kristina Somerville, Jamie Freeny, Roz Pactor, Stephanie Perkins, Shelly Hendry, Anna McGrath, Ronnie Hagerty, Helen Perry, Brian Faulkner, Janette Masten Gardner, Stacy Lindseth, and Nancy Mathe.

$Women\u2019s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency luncheon$

Photo by Alexander Rogers

Bella Chramosta, Lauren Summerville, Donae Cangelosi Chramosta, and Linda Rhodes.

Creative Mayhem

Houston art museum's gala mixes auction buzz and Spinderella beats

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston gala 2025

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Alecia Harris, Grace Zamiga, Michele Leal, Bailey Dalton, and Charlotta Hill.

Art lovers, collectors, and creative provocateurs turned up and turned it out for CAMH Party, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s signature benefit and art auction. Never ones for beige galas or sleepy sit-downs, CAMH once again threw a night that shimmered with style, swagger, and the museum’s trademark adventurous, creative edge.

The Brown Foundation Gallery became the canvas for the night, dressed up with artful flourish by Events Co., complete with dramatic lighting and immersive décor that played off the evening’s sassy energy. More than 200 guests made their entrance on a vibrant green carpet, decked in bold colors, high-concept fashion, and a clear understanding of the assignment: Serve lewks, not leftovers.

Guests sipped cocktails from Lalo Tequila while previewing the silent auction, featuring coveted works by the likes of Robert Pruitt, Alexis Pye, and Roxy Paine, with bidding powered by Qtego Fundraising Services. But this was no quiet affair — the room buzzed with excited chatter and sneaky competitive glances from across the gallery walls.

Then partygoers shifted to dinner mode with a refined menu from Swift and Co. Hors d’oeuvres included caviar tacos and steak tartare, followed by elegant entrées like scallopini of chicken and herb-crusted salmon. Dessert? A floral-forward strawberry sorbet kissed with mascarpone, meringue, and actual rose petals—because why not eat like you’re in a painting?

CAMH co-directors Ryan Dennis and Melissa McDonnell Luján toasted to the museum’s legacy and shared what’s ahead, including a solo show by Houston-born artist Tomashi Jackson and the Teen Council’s 25th anniversary this summer. A buzzy live auction led by Sotheby’s Charlie Caulkins followed, with works by CAMH-exhibited artists like Garrett Bradley, Cindy Sherman, and Vincent Valdez sparking energetic bids and side-eyes alike.

Then came the inevitable vibe shift: the After Party.

The gallery morphed into a nocturnal lounge where grilled cheese met churros, and the legendary DJ Spinderella spun hits that got the art crowd dancing like nobody was watching or judging. Guests sipped more Lalo, bounced to the beat, and stayed well past midnight.

Soaking in the creative mayhem were Elisa and Chris Pye, Poppi Massey, Phoebe Cholnoky, Josh Pazda and Chris Goins, Sissy and Denny Kempner, Joe and Johanne Gatto, Kristin and Drew Perring, Danielle O’Bannon and Jon Redwine, Unique James, and Darryl Sharpton, with support from a powerhouse host committee featuring names like Paola Creixell, Jamal Cyrus, Mary and Marcel Barone, and Jessica Phifer.

Photo by Emily Jaschke

Alecia Harris, Grace Zamiga, Michele Leal, Bailey Dalton, and Charlotta Hill.

fundraisers museums contemporary art museum houston