Houston’s Women of Distinction Revealed in One Fashionable Party

11 Ladies Who Make a Real Difference in the City

By Shelby Hodge // Sep 23, 2019

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ABC 13's Women of Distinction Class of 2020, Cheryl Byington, Zane Carruth, Theresa Chang, Elsie Eckert, Myrtle Jones, Brigitte Kalai, Kelley Lubanko, Joy McCormack, Hannah McNair, Betty Hrncir,(Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Winter Ball chairs Bobbie Nau and Lesha Elsenbrook (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Caroline Walter, Megan Cushing (Photo by Jacob Power)

Winter Ball honorary chairs Cora Sue Mach and Sydney Faust (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Brigitte & Bashar Kalai (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Drs. Vivek & Ishwaria Subbiah (Photo by Jacob power)

Kelli Weinzierl, DeeDee Marsh (Photo by Jacob Power)

Peter & Theresa Chang (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Phoebe Tudor, Leigh Smith (Photo by Jacob Power)

Ralph Burch, Brian Teichman (Photo by Jacob Power)

Rita Joubran, Don & Joy McCormack (Photo by Jacob Power)

Trent Hrncir, Romy Mitchell (Photo by Jacob Power)

Harry & Diane Gendel, Betty & John Hrncir (Photo by Jacob Power)

Brady & Zane Carruth, Fady Armanious, Cheryl Byington, Myrtle Jones (Photo by Daniel Ortiz)

Cal & Hannah McNair (Photo by Jacob Power)

Steve & Kelley Lubanko (Photo by Daniel Ortiz_

Guest show the love for Women of Distinction honorees at the announcement party at Tootsies. (Photo by Jacob Power)

What: ABC 13’s Women of Distinction announcement party

Where: Tootsies

PC Moment: Hoots, hollers, cheers and applause greeted the 2020 Women of Distinction honorees as they were introduced by KTRK news anchor Melanie Lawson, herself a former Woman of Distinction.

Eleven women took bows for their exceptional volunteer and community contributions before a clutch of 250 fans and supporters of Winter Ball beneficiary, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. Set to be formally presented on January 25, 2020, at the Hilton-Americas Houston, are Cheryl Byington, Zane Carruth, Theresa Chang, Elsie Eckert, Myrtle Jones, Brigitte Kalai, Kelley Lubanko, Joy McCormack, Hannah McNair and Mary Tere Perusquia — plus Betty Hrncir, who will be honored as ambassador.

Joining the honorees in cutting a fashionable swath through the store were gala chairs Bobbie Nau and Lesha Elsenbrook and honorary chairs Cora Sue Mach and Sydney Faust.

The evening included a fashion show orchestrated by Lenny Matuszewski and welcome remarks from Tootsies’ owner Norman Lewis.

ELIZABETH ANTHONY

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PC Seen: Tootsies creative director Fady Armanious, Joanna and Brad Marks, Monica Hartland, Bill Baldwin, Gayla Gardner, Ed McMahon, Susan Osterberg, Scott Ipsen, Andy Cordes and Brian Teichman, Daisy Mendoza, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Nick Espinosa, Shawntell McWilliams, Donae Chramosta, DeeDee Marsh, Kelli Weinzierl, Megan Cushing, and Leigh Smith.