Event Date: October 25, 2024
Location: The Post Oak at Uptown
Event: Luncheon
Beneficiary: Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation
No. in attendance: 650
Money raised: $600,000
Chairpersons: Diane Gendel and Mehrnaz Gill
Ladies for Literacy Guild President: Sandra Shenkir
Title Sponsor: Phillips 66
Literacy Champions: ExxonMobil and Stavis Wealth Transfer Solutions
Emcee: Keith Garvin
Moderator: Ernie Manouse
Guest Speaker: Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Décor: The Events Company
Floral Centerpieces: H-E-B
Entertainment: J&D Entertainment
Photography: Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Brighter Futures Were Built and an Actress Wowed at Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild’s 9th Power of Literacy Luncheon
“Treat everyone equally, don’t look down on anyone, use your voices for good, read all the great books.” So said former First Lady and literacy advocate Barbara Bush, in her 2020 compilation of sage advice to family, staff, and close friends, titled Pearls of Wisdom. Her witticisms and presence were certainly felt at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild’s Ninth Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon, chaired by Diane Gendel and Mehrnaz Gill, where $600,000 was raised in support of childhood literacy programs.
The annual gathering, this year themed “Building Brighter Futures,” assembled over 650 guests to enjoy a great afternoon meal and watch Houston media personality Ernie Manouse banter onstage with the guest of honor—actress and New York Times best-selling author Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Kimberly, a once close friend of the Bushs, is most memorably known as the daughter in the remake of Father of the Bride and is currently on the New York Times Best Seller List for her book, Where the Light Gets In. She and her husband, country star Brad Paisley are using the superstar power for good, as they have opened The Store in Nashville, which provides families seeking self-sufficiency choices for their food needs, veterinary and school services.
KPRC’s Keith Garvin served as the emcee and introduced the event chairs, Ladies for Literacy Guild President Sandra Shenkir, Title Sponsor and Literacy Champions before the onstage discussion. The program concluded with a showing of the heartfelt music video of Brad Paisley’s “I’m Gonna Miss Her,” featuring Kimberly Williams-Paisley, produced during the start of their relationship.
Highlights of the luncheon were fall décor from The Events Company, a 15-foot Giving Tree and Monarch Butterfly Champagne Girl (provided by J&D Entertainment) in the pre-function area and floral centerpieces on the ballroom tables created and donated by H-E-B. Raffle tickets were also on sale to win Tenenbaum Jewelers’ Double Strand of Freshwater Pearls and Vintage Mabé Pearl Earrings.
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Lilly Andress, Betty Hrncir, Cathy Cleary, Ann Bookout, Betty Tutor, Kelley Lubanko, Lesha Elsenbrook, Mary Lynn Marks, Regina Rogers, Julie Finck, DeeDee Marsh, Deborah Dunkum, Lisa Garvin, Kathy Goossen, Lisa Jakel, Stephanie Tsuru, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Anita O’Shaughnessy, Laura Jamarillo, Laurie Lashier, Deborah Stavis, Rhonda Graff, Barbie Prusak, Niloufar Molavi, Maria Pappas, Gina Saour, Sandra Porter, Raquel Lewis, Nancy Strohmer, Satya Pandrangi, Deborah Stavis, Vicki West, Beth Wolff, Cyvia Wolff