Houston’s Women of Distinction Celebrated With a Hint of Old Hollywood in This Winter Ball

Two Classes of Difference Makers Get Their Spotlight Moment

By Shelby Hodge // Apr 10, 2022

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The 2022 Women of Distinction Vicki West, Maureen Higdon, Elaine Balagia Croucher, Joni Hruska Fichter, Anne Chao, Rini Wu Ziegler, Heidi Rockecharlie, Heidi Smith, Mandy Kao, Joy Sewing, and Jo Dee Wright (Photo by Jacob Power)

Nick & Beth Zdeblick, 2021 Women of Distinction honoree, at the 2022 Winter Ball (Photo by Jacob Power)

Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Second time Best Dressed honoree Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell in a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown at the 2022 Winter Ball (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

2021 Women of Distinction honoree Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, in a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown at the 2022 Winter Ball (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

2022 Women of Distinction honoree Anne Chao Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Cynthia Wolff, previous Women of Distinction Ambassador Beth Wolff Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Charlie Weiss, 2022 Winter Ball Women of Distinction honoree Elaine Balagia Croucher Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Charlie Weiss, 2022 Women of Distinction honoree Mandy Kao Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Previous Women of Distinction honorees Christie Sullivan, Leila Perrin Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Sydney Dao, 2022 Women of Distinction honoree Joy Sewing, Andrea Bonner at the Winter Ball Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Former Women of Distinction honoree Mary Ann McKeithan & David McKeithan Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

2022 Women of Distinction honoree Heidi Smith, escorted by Charlie Weiss Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

2022 Women of Distinction honoree Maureen Higdon Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Cindi Rose, Erica Rose at the CCFA Women of Distinction Winter Ball Susan, Edward Osterberg, Cheryl Byington (Photo by Morris Malakoff)

Deborah Laws, Harriet Gertner at the 2022 CCFA Women of Distinction Winter Ball (Photo by Jacob Power)

For 35 years the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has been celebrating women of Houston deemed by a scoring system to be distinguished in their service to the community. The recent signature Winter Ball celebrating the 2022 Women of Distinction continued the custom with a parade of lovelies in gowns, past honorees as well as the current class.

Houston Life TV host Courtney Zavala served as emcee of the evening that filled the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom with a hint of old Hollywood, the theme of the evening.

The hours of service to the community and charitable donations from the philanthropic clutch of honorees, both present and path, is immeasurable. Thanks for the decades of support the Winter Ball has raised millions for CCFA‘s contributions to research for a cure for the debilitating ailments.

Prior to opening of the ballroom doors, the champagne reception spotlighting Gittings portraits of the various honorees through the years set the stage for the elegant evening that ended with a bang when the stage disappeared to reveal a dance floor and the band cranked it up.

Headlining the event were the 2022 Women of Distinction: Anne Chao, Elaine Balagia Croucher, Joni Hruska Fichter, Maureen Higdon, Mandy Kao, Heidi Rockecharlie, Joy Sewing, Heidi Smith, Jo Dee Wright and Rini Wu Ziegler. Vicki West was honored as Ambassador, an even greater honor given in recognition of a multitude of philanthropy and service.

Roslyn Bazzelle-Mitchell — 2021 Women of Distinction honoree Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell at the 2022 Winter Ball

Enjoying a special place in the spotlight were the 2021 honorees, whose official presentation was nixed due to COVID. Those walking the runway on this night were Roslyn Bazzelle-Mitchell, Lara Bell, Donae Chramosta, Leila Perrin, Christie Sullivan, Beth Zdeblick, Sherri Zucker and Ambassador Beth Wolff.

PC Seen: Mary and Jack Balagia, Ceron, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Leisa Holland Nelson and Bob Bowman, Beth and Nick Zdeblick, Roz and Alan Pactor, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Cheryl Byington, Cynthia Wolff, Lily and Thurmon Andress, Ralph Burch, Cheryl Byington, and Drs. Susan and Edward Osterberg.