Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) announces best-selling author, natural foods chef, reality TV star, self-made businesswoman, and mom, Bethenny Frankel, as the featured speaker for the 11th Annual Chick Lit Luncheon. 

Tricia George and Mary Martha Pickens will co-chair the annual fundraiser, which will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017 at the Hilton Anatole.  Katy Bock, Marybeth Conlon and Lori Anna Dees will serve as underwriting chairs.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce Bethenny Frankel as the featured speaker for this year’s Chick Lit Luncheon,” remarked Paige McDaniel, president and CEO, Community Partners of Dallas. “Following last year’s record-breaking tenth anniversary event, we know Bethenny’s straight-forward and witty approach to relationships, nutrition, business, parenting and all things-‘Real Housewives’ will certainly keep our devoted attendees entertained.  This year is not to be missed!” 

Bethenny Frankel first came to national attention with her wit, wisdom, and humor when she was named first runner-up on NBC’s The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Her success on the series led her to Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City for three seasons, as well as two spin-off series on the network, Bethenny Getting Married? and Bethenny Ever After…After a three-season hiatus, she made her highly anticipated return for season seven of The Real Housewives of New York City.

A savvy businesswoman, Bethenny is the creator of the low calorie cocktail brand Skinnygirl Cocktails and partnered with Beam Suntory in 2011. The cocktail portfolio now includes over 20 products including wines, flavored vodkas, and delicious ready-to-drink cocktails. Frankel is a brand collaborator, developer, and marketer for Skinnygirl Cocktails. As the owner of Skinnygirl, Bethenny has created a thriving lifestyle brand featuring products offering women practical solutions to everyday problems. Some of the many Skinnygirl products include “Sparklers” non-alcoholic beverages, microwave popcorn, snacks, hummus, dips, nutrition bars, salad dressings, liquid sweeteners and water enhancers, shapewear, and appliances. In 2013, Frankel brought her distinct voice and candid point of view to daytime television on Bethenny, her nationally syndicated daytime talk program, and she has been named one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful Celebrities” by Forbes magazine. 

She is the four-time best-selling author of Skinnydipping, A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out Of Life, Naturally Thin: Unleash Your Skinnygirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting, and The Skinnygirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life. She has also authored Skinnygirl Solutions: Simple Ideas, Extraordinary Results, the recently released children’s book Cookie Meets Peanut, the cocktail book, Skinnygirl Cocktails, and her most recent release I Suck at Relationships So You Don’t Have To. 

The 11th annual Chick Lit luncheon will be held on April 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hilton Anatole.  The event will include a wine reception followed by a seated luncheon and remarks by Ms. Frankel. Tables begin at $1,750 and are on sale now; individual tickets will go on sale in early April if space permits.  For more information, visit communitypartnersdallas.org.

About Community Partners of Dallas

Since 1989, Community Partners of Dallas has ensured safety and restored dignity and hope to abused and neglected children by providing crucial resources and support to the caseworkers of Dallas County Child Protective Services.  Community Partners of Dallas provides items such as winter coats, diapers and formula, holiday gifts, school uniforms, personal hygiene products, food and more,  to send the abused children in our community the message that someone does care.  Please visit www.communitypartnersdallas.org for more information.

Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support announces Nikki and Crayton Webb as co-chairs for the 2017 Genesis Women’s Shelter Luncheon, with Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, founder and CEO of Thrive Global and international best-selling author, as the featured speaker for the 24^th annual event on Monday, May 15, 2017.

“Crayton is both a professional and personal hero of Genesis, serving as Board President of the Genesis men’s auxiliary group HeROS (He Respects Others), and Vice President of Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility with Mary Kay Inc., one of our most committed corporate partners,” shared Genesis CEO Jan Langbein. “Working with Crayton and Nikki as co-chairs this year is like working with family.”

Arianna Huffington joins an illustrious list of luncheon speakers, including President George W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice and Maria Shriver.  

“Arianna Huffington is a global influencer who ignites conversation and action in response to some of our most challenging social issues”, remarked Genesis CEO Jan Langbein. “To have her as keynote speaker for our 2017 luncheon is a game-changer.  We look forward to having Ms. Huffington share her brilliance with the Dallas community.”

In May 2005, Arianna Huffington launched The Huffington Post, a news and blog site that quickly became one of the most widely-read, linked to, and frequently-cited media brands on the Internet, and in 2012 won a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. In August 2016, she launched Thrive Global, a corporate and consumer well-being and productivity platform with the mission of changing the way we work and live by ending the collective delusion that burnout is the price we must pay for success. Thrive Global provides trainings, seminars, e-courses, coaching and ongoing support based on the latest scientific findings to improve people’s health and increase productivity for both companies and individuals around the world.

She has been named to Time Magazine's list of the world’s 100 most influential people and the Forbes Most Powerful Women list. Originally from Greece, she moved to England when she was 16 and graduated from Cambridge University with an M.A. in economics. At 21, she became president of the famed debating society, the Cambridge Union.  She serves on numerous boards, including Uber and The Center for Public Integrity.

Her last two books, Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder and The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night At A Time, on the science, history and mystery of sleep, both became instant international bestsellers.

The 2017 Genesis Women’s Shelter Luncheon will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Dallas located at 2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207.  Sponsorships begin at $1750.00. If available, individual tickets will go on sale in April 2017. For table and sponsorship information contact Bianca Jackson, senior director of development at 214-389-7703 or bjackson@genesisshelter.org.

About Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support

Since opening its doors in 1985, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support has provided safety, shelter and expert counseling services to women and children who have experienced domestic violence. Genesis is committed to removing every roadblock a woman might face on her journey to the abuse-free life she deserves. These life-changing include an emergency shelter, long-term housing, an award-winning onsite, K-12 school, daycare, access to legal representation and cutting-edge therapeutics. Genesis served 1,200 women and children in 2015 and relies on the generous support of the Dallas community to continue providing these services at no cost to clients each year. For more information visit www.genesisshelter.org

2016 Awards for Excellence in Community Service co-chairs Veletta Forsythe Lill and Mary Suhm, along with honorary chairs Gail Thomas, PhD and Robert Hyer Thomas, welcomed over 65 sponsors, award recipients and Dallas Historical Society board members to a cocktail reception held in their honor on Wednesday, October 26 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Hosted by Libby and David Hunt, Sharon and Mike McCullough and Patricia Meadows, attendees arrived and mingled as they enjoyed cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres.  Midway through the reception, Bill Helmbrecht, chairman of the Dallas Historical Society board of trustees, gathered the crowd for brief remarks.  Helmbrecht welcomed everyone and thanked all in attendance for their support of the 35^th Awards for Excellence in Community Service.

Co-chairs Lill and Suhm followed, adding their gratitude to this year’s sponsors, before recognizing the 2016 Awards for Excellence recipients, many of whom were in attendance:  Arts Leadership – Keith Cerny; Business – Leonard M. Riggs, Jr. M.D.; Creative Arts – Eliseo Garcia; Education – Pat Mattingly; History – Hugh Aynesworth; Humanities – Molly Bogen; Medical Research – Dr. Eric Olson; Philanthropy – Linda Perryman Evans; Sports Leadership – Michael Johnson; Volunteer Community Leadership – Philip C. Henderson;  Volunteer Community Leadership – Frederick “Shad” Rowe and Jubilee History Maker – Margot Perot.  The Awards for Excellence are bestowed on selected recipients who have demonstrated generosity of spirit, civic leadership, and ability to encourage community-wide participation in a particular phase of the growth of the city.  

Proceeds from the annual fundraiser support the Dallas Historical Society and its dedication to the preservation of Dallas and Texas history through its many programs, including educational outreach and public programs to more than 20,000 area school students annually.  The event would not be possible without the generosity of the 2016 Sponsors, which include: 

Platinum History Maker ($10,000) – Diane and Hal Brierley; Joe M. and Doris R. Dealey Family Foundation; Al Hill Family; Lyda Hill Foundation; Stephanie and Hunter Hunt; Holly and Tom Mayer; Eugene McDermott Foundation; Leonard M. Riggs, Jr.; 

Gold Historian ($5,000) – Baylor Scott & White Health; Linda and William Custard; Craig and Kathryn Hall Foundation; The David B. Miller Family Foundation; Perot Foundation; Shad Rowe; Peggy and Carl Sewell; Ruth C. and Charles S. Sharp Foundation; Mike and Mary Terry;

Silver Historian ($2,500) – Children’s Health; Chris Molsen Clark; Amy and John A. Cole; The Richard Eiseman Families; Nancy Nasher and David Haemisegger; Cathy and Bill Helmbrecht; Liza and Will Lee; Locke Lord LLP; The Meadows Foundation; John Neill; Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC; Penn Davis McFarland, Inc.; Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation; Carolyn and Karl Rathjen; Willing Ryan; Kit and Kemp Sawers; Margaret and Glenn Solomon; South Texas Money Management, Ltd; Southern Methodist University; Southwestern Medical Foundation/UT Southwestern Medical Center; Marianne and Roger Staubach; Thompson & Knight Foundation; and Gail and Robert Hyer Thomas.

The 35^th Awards for Excellence (AFE) in Community Service luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Dallas, located at 1717 N. Akard Street.  Tickets begin at $125; sponsorships begin at $1,000 and are available by visiting http://www.dallashistory.org/support/awards-for-excellence/ or contact Nora Lenhart, 214-421-4500x101 or Nora@dallashistory.org .

Southern Methodist University (SMU) president, R. Gerald Turner, PhD, was honored on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 with the 12^th annual Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award for his academic, civic, educational and business leadership in Dallas.  Recognizing his love for education, music, sports and all-things SMU, the evening brought together family, friends, colleagues, and even the SMU mascot, for an unforgettable celebration.

Established in 2005, the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose demonstrated commitment to excellence in community leadership emulate the achievements of former Dallas Mayor Robert S. Folsom.  The 2016 event raised $1.4 million proceeds, which were designated by Dr. Turner and his wife Gail, to create a world-class simulation laboratory at Methodist Dallas Medical for the Graduate Medical Education Program. 

As the evening began, nearly 800 attendees arrived at the Hilton Anatole Dallas and mingled over cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres outside the Grand Ballroom.  At the appointed time, the doors opened to sounds of SMU’s renowned a cappella groups, the SMU Belle Tones and the SMU Southern Gentlemen, performing some of Dr. Turner’s favorite songs.  As guests took their seats, master of ceremonies Michael Boone, co-founder of Haynes and Boone and 2012 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award recipient took the stage.  After welcoming attendees, Boone recognized this year’s recipient, Dr. Turner, as well as the “first lady of SMU,” Gerald’s wife, Gail.  He also recognized the 2016 event co-chairs, Kelli and Gerald J. Ford, Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt, and Lottye and Bobby B. Lyle, who were seated nearby.

Reverend Mark Craig, member of the Methodist Health System Foundation board and 2013 Folsom Award recipient, followed with the invocation.  As guests enjoyed their first course, Stephen L. Mansfield, PhD, FACHE, president and CEO of Methodist Health System, added his congratulations to Dr. Turner and thanked all in attendance for their support of the hospital system. 

“Over the last 10 years, I have watched with pride as the Folsom Award has become one of the most prestigious traditions in North Texas,” remarked Mansfield.  “Thank you for your commitment to make Methodist Health System the provider of choice for so many.  When this year ends, Methodist will have served nearly 1 million North Texans.  Your support enables us to continue to fulfill our mission of improving and saving lives through compassionate quality healthcare.  Thank you for making that mission possible.” 

One of Dr. Turner’s daughters, Angela Turner Wilson, gave a special musical tribute as she was joined onstage by Clifton Forbis, associate professor and chair of voice at SMU, with Brian Bentley, adjunct professor in vocal and performance at SMU on piano, with a performance of one of Dr. Turner’s favorite hymns, Great is Thy Faithfulness.  

As dinner was completed, Boone revealed that one of Dr. Turner’s favorite pastimes and sports is tennis.  CBS Sports and Tennis Channel broadcaster, Bill Macatee, joined via video to congratulate Dr. Turner and to introduce his weekly tennis group, self-named the “Smiters,” who play each week in the “Saturday Morning Invitational Tournament (SMIT).” Named by fellow-SMIT founder and former owner of the Dallas Stars, Norm Green, each week a partnership is awarded the SMIT trophy, patterned after the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup. “Smiters” Chris Kleinert, Frank Campbell, Dale Petroskey and SMU’s All-American Kit Carson came on stage and shared stories of Dr. Turner’s success on and off the court.  Ms. Carson closed by announcing that in honor of Dr. Turner and his love of SMU, the weekly event has been renamed the “Super Mustang Invitational Tournament,” after SMU’s mascot.

April Box, CFRE, president and CEO of Methodist Health System Foundation, followed and echoed Dr. Turner’s love of music, sharing he has been known to create mixed CD’s for friends as well as attend live shows, such as Dire Straits.  Box asked patrons to put on the wristbands located at their seats, and turn on the LED lights to create a concert spirit for the next surprise…SMU graduate and Academy of Country Music award-winning singer/songwriter, Jack Ingram.

To much applause, Jack Ingram took the stage with his acoustic guitar.  He recounted memories from his time at SMU, as well as his successes as a professional musician, as he performed three of his hit songs, including his first number one single, Wherever You Are.

Box returned with one more surprise, a personalized early-release of “The Whistler,” written by one of Dr. Turner’s long-time friends since his days at Ole Miss, author John Grisham.  She also took a moment to recognize the evening’s co-chairs, the many sponsors including presenting sponsor The Lupe Murchison Foundation, as well as the Folsom family members who were in attendance, Methodist Health System Foundation board chairman Steve Folsom and his wife Sharon, Bob Folsom’s daughter Diane Frank and her husband Robert, and Bob Folsom’s daughter Debbie Jarma and her husband Don.

Box took a few moments to salute Dr. Turner’s many accomplishments.

“Methodist Health System is proud to celebrate great leaders in Dallas.  When Dr. Turner came to SMU in 1995 he had a vision to build SMU into a world-renowned university.  His vision is today a reality,” said Box.  “Ellen Johnson Sirlef, Africa’s first woman president, is known for saying ‘If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.’  Thank you, Dr. Turner, for having big dreams. As the longest serving president of SMU, you have led an era of unprecedented progress, including a $1 billion major gifts campaign that surpassed its goal three months ahead of schedule.  You have truly impacted our lives.”

Dr. Turner joins a prestigious group of past recipients including Robert S. Folsom (2005), Nancy Ann Hunt (2006), Troy Aikman (2007), Laura Bush (2008), the late Norman Brinker (2009), Pat and Emmitt Smith (2010), Trevor Rees-Jones (2011), Michael M. Boone (2012), Rev. Mark Craig (2013), Bobby B. Lyle (2014), and Jack Lowe, Jr. (2015).

Following, attendees enjoyed a special tribute video featuring past recipients, board members, SMU trustees, and long-time friends, who all shared their admiration for Dr. Turner and his many successes throughout his life.

Dr. Turner humbly accepted the 2016 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award from Ms. Box, before extending his gratitude to the Foundation, friends and colleagues in attendance, SMU and of course his beloved family.

Since its inception, the Folsom Award events have netted more than $15 million to benefit Methodist Health System’s programs and services.  For more information about supporting the 2017 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award and Methodist Health System, contact Angela Nash, vice president, 214.947.4596 or angelanash@mhd.org.  More information is available at https://foundation.methodisthealthsystem.org.

April Box, CFRE, president and CEO of Methodist Health System Foundation, along with Parton Party hosts Ashlee and Chris Kleinert and event co-chairs Kelli and Gerald J. Ford, Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt, and Lottye and Bobby B. Lyle, welcomed more than 80 sponsors of the 2016 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award.

Mr. Kleinert gathered the crowd for brief remarks, and on behalf of he and his wife Ashlee, thanked the Leadership Circle donors for their support of the 2016 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award Dinner.  He lauded Methodist Health System Foundation for once again selecting a deserving award recipient, R. Gerald Turner, PhD, who has meant so much to the City of Dallas and to Southern Methodist University, as SMU’s longest-serving president. Mr. Kleinert also recognized the “first lady of SMU,” Dr. Turner’s wife, Gail, who was seated nearby.  Lastly he thanked Dr. Turner for allowing the Foundation to recognize him, which in turn shines a spotlight on the important work being done each day by Methodist Health System.

Ms. Box added her gratitude to the evening’s hosts, this year’s event co-chairs, and patrons in attendance for their demonstrated support and respect for Dr. Turner through sponsorships, with special thanks to presenting sponsor, The Lupe Murchison Foundation.  She recognized Sharon and Steve Folsom, and noted how Mr. Folsom has followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by serving as the chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as well as his sisters and their husbands, Diane and Robert Frank and Debbie and Don Jarma, all in attendance. 

She added that Dr. Turner represents Bob Folsom’s legacy of love and commitment of service to the Dallas community as he joins a very prestigious group of former Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award recipients, including this year’s co-chairs Nancy Ann Hunt and Bobby Lyle, who were in attendance, as well as Troy Aikman, Mike Boone, First Lady Laura Bush, the late Norman Brinker, Pat and Emmitt Smith, Trevor Rees-Jones, Rev. Mark Craig, and Jack Lowe, Jr.

 As in years past, event proceeds have been designated by the Folsom Award recipient, Dr. Turner and his wife Gail.

“In honor of Dr. Turner’s passion for education, funds from this year’s event will go to the Methodist Dallas Medical Center Golden Cross Academic Clinic and graduate medical education,  shared Ms. Box.  “This is particularly meaningful as Methodist strives each day to serve an ever-increasing number of disadvantaged families in our community through the Golden Cross Clinic. Thank you Gerald and Gail, for stepping forward to help those who cannot help themselves.”

Dr. Turner extended his heartfelt gratitude for the recognition by the Foundation, and added his thanks to his wife Gail, friends and co-chairs Kelli and Jerry, Nancy Ann and Ray and Lottye and Bobby, April and the Foundation staff, as well as all the many sponsors who will enable Methodist Health System to continue serving the community.

In closing Ms. Box reminded patrons of the upcoming event on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.

Since its inception, the Folsom Award events have netted more than $14 million to benefit Methodist Health System’s programs and services.   The event would not be possible without the generosity of the 2016 sponsors: 

Presenting Sponsor ($250,000) – The Lupe Murchison Foundation

Lead Sponsors ($100,000) – Kelli and Gerald J. Ford and Hilltop Holdings Inc.; and Carolyn and David B. Miller and The David B. Miller Family Foundation

Video Sponsor ($100,000) – Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt

Platinum Sponsor ($50,000) – Linda and Mitch Hart and Lottye and Bobby B. Lyle

Award Dinner Program Sponsor ($25,000) – Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians

Gold Sponsors ($25,000) – The Dedman Foundation Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas; Folsom Family; Nita and John R. Ford; Gene and Jerry Jones; Ashlee and Chris Kleinert; and Pat and Pete Schenkel

Support Sponsor ($20,000) – The Beck Group

Leadership Circle Sponsors ($10,000) – Lydia and Bill Addy; Allegiance Title Company/Dawn Moore; Allie Beth and Pierce Allman; Amegy Bank; Aramark Healthcare; AT&T, Inc.; Austin Commercial; Joyce and Selly Belofsky; Ann and Brad Brookshire; CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company; Cienda Partners; John M. Collins/Haynes and Boone, LLP; Comerica Bank; Kelly Compton; William R. and Susan S. Cooper; The Deason Foundation; Paul S. Farrow, Ebby Halliday Realtors; Folsom Properties, Inc.; Kay and Duncan T. Fulton, III; Hegi Family; Hodges Capital Management; J.P. Morgan; Laboratory Physicians Association; Lockton Dunning Benefits; Cathy and Harold MacDowell; Cary M. McGuire; Maryann and Frank Mihalopoulos; Carolyn F. and G. David Neal; Norton Rose Fulbright; NueHealth; Sarah F. Perot; Jane H. and Charles C. Pierce, Jr.; Caren Prothro/Ruth and Ken Altshuler; Elaine and Michael Redden; The Rees-Jones Foundation; Eileen and Ron Ricks; RGT Wealth Advisors; Rogers-O’Brien Construction; Dr. Allen and Elaine Schneider; Peggy and Carl Sewell; Shirley and George Shafer; Gay and William Solomon; TD Bank, N.A.; TDIndustries, Ben Houston and Jack Lowe, Jr., Texas Star Landscapes, LLC; Tolleson Wealth Management; Chancellor Lee Jackson and University of North Texas System; U.S. Anesthesia Partners; Tim Wallace; and Lee Ann and Alan White/PlainsCapital Bank

Bronze Sponsors ($5,000) - Bank of Texas; Colleen Barrett; Kathy and Gene Bishop; Communities Foundation of Texas; Sylvie and Gary Crum; Francis & Totusek, L.L.P.; Leigh K. Hunter, MD; Herb Kelleher; Mairs & Power; Methodist Rehabilitation Hospital/Kindred Healthcare; Erle Nye; Owens & Minor Distribution, Inc.; Perkins + Will; Warren Rutherford; Debbie and Michael Schaefer; Southern Methodist University; UnitedHealthcare; and Terry and Ron Unkefer.

The Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award dinner will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, located at 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas. The 12^th annual event will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner and tribute to the 2016 Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award recipient, R. Gerald Turner, PhD, president of Southern Methodist University, philanthropist, and education and community leader. Individual tickets are $1,000, $500 or $250; sponsorships begin at $5,000. For sponsorships and ticket information, visit https://foundation.methodisthealthsystem.org/events/folsom/2016-r-gerald-turner-phd/sponsor/.