YWCA of Houston Outstanding Women's Luncheon
The YWCA of Houston celebrates its mission to empower women by recognizing impactful female community leaders at this year’s Outstanding Women’s Luncheon – known as OWL – and through a keynote address by abduction survivor Elizabeth Smart. Smart – a human trafficking prevention activist, author and ABC News contributor – received international attention when she was taken from her Utah home at age 14 in 2002 and held for nine months. As the founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, she advocates vigilance by everyone and hope for all missing children – which connects to YWCA of Houston’s strong advocacy of human trafficking awareness and abolition. The 2018 affair will applaud 11 honorees whose work in the Houston area exemplifies the luncheon’s theme: Women on the Rise!: A Legacy of Commitment and Service. This year’s esteemed honorees, by category, are: Education: Ruth Simmons, Ph.D., President, Prairie View A&M University Business: Edna Meyer-Nelson, Founder, President and CEO, The Richland Companies Oil and Gas: Shawn E. Simmons, Ph.D., Engineer, Environmental and Permitting Manager, ExxonMobil Dorothy Height: Edith Irby Jones, M.D., pioneering physician and humanitarian Art: Beth Merfish, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Art History, University of Houston-Clear Lake Healthcare: Juliet Breeze, M.D., CEO and Medical Director, Next Level Urgent Care Law and Government: Jessica Farrar, Houston legislator, Texas House of Representatives Community Philanthropy: Roxann Chargois, Western Area Director, The Links, Inc. Outstanding Youth: Lauren Elie and Jordan Fein, Flower Power Gives STEM: Paula McCann Harris, Engineer and Director of Global Stewardship, Schlumberger Nearly 500 people attend the annual Outstanding Women’s Luncheon, a charitable event that helps the YWCA of Houston increase awareness of its mission and programs. This year’s fundraising affair has heightened importance as the YWCA of Houston – the city’s second-largest provider of senior services. The organization continues to respond to the critical needs of elder community members still recovering from Hurricane Harvey and plans to open the city’s first emergency shelter specifically designated for women who have been trafficked. Follow #YWCAHOUOWL on social media for more details. This year’s honorary luncheon chair is Jacqueline W. Bostic, the YWCA of Houston Board Chair Emerita, and the honorary luncheon co-chair is Jacqueline Bostic McElroy, the YWCA of Houston Board Chair. Nearly 500 people attend the annual Outstanding Women’s Luncheon, a charitable event that helps the YWCA of Houston increase awareness of its mission and programs. This year’s fundraising affair has heightened importance as the YWCA of Houston – the city’s second-largest provider of senior services. The organization continues to respond to the critical needs of elder community members still recovering from Hurricane Harvey and plans to open the city’s first emergency shelter specifically designated for women who have been trafficked. Follow #YWCAHOUOWL on social media for more details.
