Houston’s 13 Leading Ladies

Heartfelt moments punctuated the Women of Substance luncheon that honored the late Barbara Bush and had popular PBS host Ernie Manouse reading a letter from Barbara Taylor Bradford. All in the process of honoring 13 of the city’s leading ladies and raising funds for the Mission of Yahweh.

The famed author of Women of Substance, among other best sellers, had planned on attending the River Oaks Country Club luncheon as she had in previous years, when she was seated with her long-time friend Barbara Bush. But Bradford’s husband fell ill and her trip was cancelled. But not her bon mots.

Manouse read the letter to a packed house that chuckled at Bradford’s humor. Speaking in remembrance of his grandmother, Pierce Bush reflected on Barbara Bush’s sense of humor, her strength and her role at the center of the presidential families.

It was an action packed day with remarks from luncheon chair Susan Hansen, luncheon advisor Warner Roberts, emcee extraordinaire Deborah Duncan, luncheon creator and producer Paul-David Van Atta and a live auction led by Bill King.

Roberts and Duncan introduced the honorees beginning with Margaret Alkek Williams receiving the Lifetime of Substance award. Taking bows as 2018 Women of Substance were Sidney Faust, Lotty Gautschi, Betty Hrncir, Mady Kades, Beth Madison, Kim Moody, Kappy Muenzer, Joyce Pankonien, Susan Sarofim, Joan Schnitzer-Levy, Anita Smith and Martha Turner.

PC Seen: Honorary chairs Rose Cullen, Joanne King Herring and Regina Rogers plus Cheryl Byington, Farida Abjani, Alicia Smith, Diane Lokey Farb, Maha Rasheed Saeed Khan, Donae Chramosta, and Cora Sue and Harry Mach.