On November 14 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) celebrated its Ruby Anniversary Luncheon featuring Christine Baranski, an Emmy, two-time Tony, Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk and American Comedy Award winner. The luncheon raised $840,000 in support of the Foundation’s mission, including more than $112,000 at the event itself.
TXWF Board Chair Cris Zertuche Wong welcomed more than 950 guests including seven of the organization’s 11 living Founders. “We celebrate the nearly $90 million granted to women and girl-serving organizations in Texas and more than $25 million invested in research, advocacy and leadership programs for a total impact of $115 million on Texas women, their families, and their futures since the Foundation’s inception in 1985.”
Wong thanked former Foundation leaders and Ruby Anniversary co-chairs: Gail Griswold and Brenda Jackson (1980s), Laura Estrada (1990s), Helen Frank (2000s), and Shonn Brown (2020s) and the sponsors (see list below).
Texas Women’s Foundation President and CEO Karen Hughes White added, “Help us build on the legacy of our Founders as we prepare for the next 40 years. Because, unlike our Founders, the challenges facing Texas women have not aged well. And the solutions have become increasingly complex. It will take all of us to create meaningful, lasting, systemic change that levels playing field for women – and in turn, creates a strong and vibrant Texas for all.”
Throughout the program, TXWF shared video clips of its Founders describing how a group of 19 dynamic and diverse women came together across varied backgrounds, beliefs and political ideologies to advance opportunities for Texas women and their families.
Shonn Brown, former Texas Women’s Foundation board chair, thanked and honored the Foundation’s Founders, including the 11 living Founders who served as the event’s honorary co-chairs:
- Susan Shamburger Bagwell
- The Honorable Harryette Ehrhardt
- Catalina E. Garcia, M.D.
- Frances Griffin-Brown
- Helen LaKelly Hunt
- The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison
- Madeline Mandell
- Patricia Meadows
- Gwendolyn Oliver
- CoYoTe PhoeNix
- Rebecca Russell Sykes
Brown also paid tribute to the Founders who have passed:
- Geraldine D. Beer
- Vivian Anderson Castleberry
- Maura Anderson McNiel
- Joy Mankoff
- Carmen Miller Michael
- Louise Ballerstedt Raggio
- Oeita Bottorff Theunissen
- Virginia Bulkley Whitehill
She announced that in honor of the 40th anniversary, interviews with several of the Funders will be included in a collection of 40 stories highlighting the passion, purpose and perseverance that have shaped TXWF’s impact.
Sabrina Thomas, the Group Vice President of Target and Speaker Sponsor, introduced Christine Baranski and Caren Lock, TXWF former board chair who moderated the conversation.
Takeaways from Baranski:
Baranski shared stories of her upbringing in a working class family in Buffalo, New York, and how she persevered to achieve her goal of attending Juilliard, an aspiration that ultimately led to her successful 40+-year acting career.
About raising children, being married and working:
- “I drew upon my strength, grace and resiliency, especially during my working mom days.”
- “I endured levels of exhaustion and stress.”
- Her advice was to have “energy, good humor, and walk the walk with your spouse.”
- “You figure out who needs the most attention that day – your acting partner, your child, your spouse.”
- “Above all, you must stay healthy and have stamina.”
- “Don’t get overwhelmed with what you have to do. Get through the next hour, the day. If you think how stressed you are, you will get overwhelmed.”
About aging:
“I was too busy to notice that I was turning a different decade.”
About acting:
- “I’m in my 70’s, and I’m #1 on call sheets (for acting roles).”
- “I told my agent I want to play a woman of authority whose well spoken. My first criteria (for a script/role) is smart. To my delight, The Good Wife pilot came out, and I got the role.”
Advice to young women:
- “Get an education. Educate yourself in every area. An educated woman will educate her children and sons and be a force.”
- “Find your voice, and say it.”
- “Have a vision of who you want to be. Embody the best vision of yourself.”
- “Don’t apologize.”
For a complete list of sponsors, visit https://txwf.org/join-us/events/luncheon/
Special thank you to speaker sponsor Target and The Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Speaker Endowment Fund.
About Texas Women’s Foundation:
Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support nearly $5 million in investments each year that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through research, advocacy, grantmaking and leadership programs. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested nearly $90 million in grantmaking in support of Texas women and girls and another $25 million in research, advocacy, and educational programs for a total impact of $115 million. As the organization prepares for its next 40 years of impact, the need to build #StrongWomenBetterWorld has never been more critical.
The Foundation’s statewide research on issues impacting Texas women and girls provides corporate, state and local decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking and evidence-based programs support solutions that help remove the barriers to women’s economic security, stability, and success. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the mission-aligned investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a values-based portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now