Houston’s 2023 Women of Substance Revealed — 14 City-Changing Fabulous Femmes Spotlighted in $500,000 Moment

The 2023 Women of Substance luncheon was one fundraising event where The Appeal (also known as Paddles Up) scored unprecedented support.  Three guests raised their hands for a $20,000 commitment each for Houston reVision and three additional guests committed $10,000 each. The nonprofit’s mission of offering a variety of support for troubled juveniles in the Gulfton area clearly resonated with the 420 guests gathered in the Post Oak Hotel ballroom.

By luncheon’s end, the event had raised an impressive $500,000.

Congratulations to the 14 honorees: Women of Substance Gina Bhatia, Laura Davenport, Elsie Eckert, Debbie Festari, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Kathy Givens, April McGee, Jordan Seff, Elizabeth Stein, Paula Sutton, Stephanie Tsuru and Rini Ziegler. And to the beloved Cora Sue Mach, who was recognized as a Lifetime of Substance honoree, and the widely admired Eileen Lawal, recognized as Spirit of Substance honoree.

Bios of each of the honorees were shared by luncheon emcees KHOU Channel 11 Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan and Houston Public Media’s Ernie Manouse with one exception. Cora Sue Mach’s BFF Sidney Faust gave a heartfelt introduction of the Lifetime of Substance honoree.

Rather than the typical Gittings portraits of honorees in ballgowns, Gittings transformed the women’s photos into colorful Andy Warhol-influenced images that served as backdrop to the proceedings. What fun!

As is tradition with this luncheon, the program was packed beginning with greetings from Paul-David Van Atta, event founder and producer, followed by the invocation given by the Rev. Mary Gracely. Luncheon chairs Sippi Khurana and Amy Pierce, both former Women of Substance, were introduced followed by special thanks given to each of the dozen top supporters.

The program included a testimonial from young Kimberly Palma, once a youth offender, who shared her reVision success story, as well as remarks from Houston reVision CEO Charles Rotramel, who shared the nonprofit’s vision.

“The proceeds from this event will be invaluable in helping Houston reVision continue to help justice involved and unstably housed youth connect with mentors, positive peers and life-changing resources,” Rotramel says. “Together, we can see the inherent potential of disconnected youth and work to empower them to revise, create and choose hopeful pathways.”

As the primary partner of Harris County Juvenile Probation, Houston reVision has contributed to the steep decline of youth incarcerated in Harris County since the inception of reVision in 2011.  No surprise then that among guests were Harris County Juvenile Probation Department assistant executive director Matt Shelton, Judge Michelle Moore and Judge Natalia Cokinos Oaks.

In keeping with the theme of lifting up troubled youth, 14-year-old Shaan Khurana, son of the luncheon chair, entertained by singing “You Raise Me Up,” accompanied by a group of musicians and a trio of backup singers, courtesy of Richard Brown Music. Van Atta then surprised the St. Francis Episcopal student with the inaugural Youth of Substance Award, noting that Shaan had introduced Houston reVision as the luncheon’s potential beneficiary after learning of their programs through his involvement with the Youth Giving Circle of the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

And then there was the live auction in the hands of newlywed Bill King, with his bride Cheryl in the audience.

PC Seen: Susan Boggio, Bobbie Nau, Melissa Juneau, Andrea Bryant, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell, Ajay Khurana, Rob Pierce, Warner Roberts, David Peck, Frank Tsuru, Elaine Turner, Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Phyllis Williams, Nicole Lassiter, Kase Lawal, Renee Logans, Penny Loyd, Donna Chapman, Donae Chramosta, Andrew Cordes, Yvonne Cormier, CC and Duke Ensell, Gayla Gardner, Gregg Harrison, Betty and John Hrncir, and Sneha and Nick Merchant.