44 Years. 800 Guests. Ten Remarkable Honorees. $1.5 Million Raised. One Powerful Mission. March of Dimes Best Dressed Luncheon & Fashion Show Was the Place to Be!

44 Years. 800 Guests. Ten Remarkable Honorees. $1.4 Million Raised. One Powerful Mission.
March of Dimes Best Dressed Luncheon & Fashion Show Was the Place to Be!

What can you say about a chairperson who takes on an event for a third time and, through hard work, a firm mission, and unending persistence, raises $1.5 million to support the health of moms and babies? Rosemary Schatzman, often called “Rose-money,” brought her extensive charitable giving to the forefront, helping create a sold-out afternoon of fun, fashion, and fundraising that brought joy to the lucky 800 who witnessed the miraculous donation to March of Dimes. Raffle Chair Rachel Regan led the charge, generating the highest raffle revenue in the event’s 44-year history. This team combined passion, determination, and an unwavering commitment to March of Dimes’ mission.

PaperCity, its Society & Lifestyle Editor Shelby Hodge; Neiman Marcus, its General Manager Kathy Leigh; and Public Relations Executive Heather Almond served as Partners and Sponsors. Children’s Memorial Hermann served as the luncheon’s Presenting Sponsor.

The legacy of this remarkable event dates back more than four decades to 1982, when Warner Roberts brought “Best Dressed” to Houston and co-chaired the inaugural event alongside Mari Papadakis. Legendary Channel 2 Anchor Ron Stone emceed, and the Westin Oaks ballroom filled to capacity. It’s come a long way, baby! Honored at this landmark launch were Lynn Wyatt (now a Hall of Fame Icon), Linda McReynolds, Winifred Hirsch, Katsy Mecom, Linda Finger, Viscountess Harriet De Rosiere, Norma Myers, Joan Schnitzer (Levy), Diane Lokey Farb and Gail Gross. Warner said, “I was on the Houston March of Dimes Board, along with Mari Papadakis, and we met with two women from the MOD Board in Dallas. They offered us the opportunity to bring “Best Dressed” to Houston. Mari and I gave it serious thought and realized how important it is to benefit March of Dimes. We gladly said “YES,” and the journey began. How important it is in our world to have March of Dimes supporting healthy babies.”

Ann Ayre, Amanda Boffone, Erica Littlejohn Burnette, Gillian Sarofim, Myrtle Jones, Ellecia Knolle, Amy Pierce, Susan Plank, Leigh Smith and Allison Thacker received well-deserved honors at the recent luncheon for their lifetime of community accomplishments and strong sense of style. Taking the runway, escorted by a family member or a handsome model, the honorees showcased stylish ensembles. Ann Ayre (a two-time honoree) and Amanda Boffone (arm in arm with her husband, Terry Boffone) thrilled in Dior; Erica Littlejohn Burnette, striking in Carolina Herrera, glided down the catwalk with her husband, Dr. Robert Burnette, Jr.; Amy Pierce, in Chanel, chose her son, Kyle Pierce, as her runway partner; Susan Plank, escorted by her son, Jared Plank (in a Tom Ford suit), glowed in a Chanel skirt and a Carolina Herrera blouse; Two-time honoree Leigh Smith strutted in a Carolina Herrera ensemble; Myrtle Jones wore a favorite piece by Schiaparelli; Ellecia Knolle chose a Proenza Schouler gown under a Prada jacket; and Allison Thacker was inspiring in Carolina Herrera.

Presenting Sponsor Children’s Memorial Hermann introduced the hospital’s mission to life in a memorable way. CMH team members delivered brief speeches, including a Life Flight pilot, neonatologists, a neonatal care nurse, and Annie, a beloved care Golden Retriever who stole the show! Their presence gave the audience a preview of the many people who work to give infants a fighting chance at a wonderful life.

As always, Partner Neiman Marcus had the excited guests buzzing with anticipation as they presented “The Best of Neiman Marcus” in a rousing style show featuring the store’s many designer pieces. 

Some events call for a few touching, poignant minutes of silence. Such was the case for chair Rosemary Schatzman, who experienced firsthand how precious and vulnerable the moments surrounding pregnancy and birth can be. Her mission to lead this trilogy of large-scale gatherings stemmed from the passing of her niece, Rosemary Elise Eldridge, who died from a cardiac event six days after giving birth. That loss has further strengthened Rosemary’s determination to help protect the health of mothers and babies.

As long as there have been events planned and executed, nothing is more important than a team whose collaboration brings an event to life. Much applause goes to March of Dimes Executive Director Jen Torres and Director of Donor Development Kemah Blair, along with volunteers, committee members, sponsors, partners, honorees, and supporters who helped bring the event to life, as $1.5 million was raised to support the March of Dimes mission to fight for the health of all moms and babies. Congratulations to Rosemary (Rose-money) and the entire team who created a blockbuster event!

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):  Farida Abjani, Zinat Ahmed, Jennifer Allison, Cynthia Allshouse and Channing Allshouse, Lilly Andress, Jonathan Ayre, Denise & Philip Bahr, Philamena Baird, Bill & Kate Balleza, Cindy Bendy, Leslie Blanton, Cheryl Boblitt King, Susan Boggio, Cheryl Byington, Cathy Cagle, Anne Carl, Jan Carson, Ceron, Donae Chramosta, Cathy Cleary, Estela Cockrell, Elizabeth Colombowala, Dr. Yvonne Cormier, Rose Cullen, Laura Davenport, Isabel David, Valerie Dieterich, Elsie Eckert, Danielle Ellis, Lesha Elsenbrook, Jo Lynn Falgout, Sylvia Forsythe, Ellie Francisco, Gayla Gardner, Mignon Gill, Kathy Goossen, Jill Gracely and Mary Gracely, Janet Gurwitch, Courtney Hopson, Jayne Johnston, Mady Kades, Brigitte Kalai, Chris Kase, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Linda Kuykendall, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Stacey Lindseth, Michelle Maresh, Mary Lynn Marks, Lenny Matuszewski, April McGee, Linda McReynolds, Sneha Merchant, Jody Merritt, Melissa Mithoff, Kim Moody, Trish Morille, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Anne Neeson, Sharon Michael Owens, Roz Pactor, Jane Page Crump, Kari Parsons, Kusum Patel, Jo Ann Petersen, Rob Pierce, Kendall Plank, Jean Radelat, Shafik Rifaat, Heidi Rockecharlie, Carol Sawyer, Mary Beth Schatzman, Tom Schatzman, Jordan Seff, Joy Sewing, Alicia Smith, Anita Smith, Reggie Smith, Amalia Stanton, Stacey Swift, Troy Thacker, Leticia Trauber, Ileana Treviño, Barbara van Postman, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Nancy Willerson, Melissa Willams-Murphy, Beth Wolff, Tara Wuthrich, Merele Yarborough