Texas Women’s Foundation held its 35th Annual Luncheon, presented by Toyota and powered by The Dallas Mavericks, on September 29, featuring a conversation with America Ferrera, award-winning actress, director, producer, The New York Times best-selling author and activist. The conversation was moderated by Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer for Target. As the principal fundraiser for the Foundation, the luncheon raised more than $926,000.
Themed “Texas for All,” the 35th Annual Luncheon, co-chaired by business and community leaders Bonnie Clinton, Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer of Toyota, and Cynt Marshall, President & CEO of The Dallas Mavericks, brought together virtually 2,000+ influential business and philanthropic leaders at the appointed time of the Luncheon, who gathered to support Texas Women’s Foundation’s mission to advance the lives of women, girls and their families in Texas. An additional 11,000 people followed the link to view the Luncheon within 24 hours of the event.
Roslyn Dawson Thompson, president & CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation, said, “The Foundation chose the theme ‘Texas For All’ to reinforce the need to build more inclusive and equitable communities. This was beautifully stated in the conversation with America Ferrera and Laysha Ward, as well as in the statements given by our Luncheon co-chairs who spoke to the power of equity and diversity, and how important they are to creating a Texas for All.”
Ferrera’s comments focused on these themes:
- The need within all people, of all races and backgrounds, to be seen.
- Each person’s unique identity is their superpower, not an obstacle.
- In order to reach understanding, we need to get comfortable with uncomfortable situations.
- Sisterhood and community give us both strength and support.
- Talent is universal, but opportunity is not.
Dawson Thompson and A. Shonn Brown, TXWF board chairwoman, along with Clinton and Marshall, challenged guests to:
- educate themselves about the issues,
- activate networks and influence,
- advocate for change, and
- donate to TXWF to continue supporting the transformative work.
A special thank you to the following sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: Toyota
Powered by: The Dallas Mavericks
Speaker Sponsor: Target, with ongoing support from The Suzanne Ahn, M.D. Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation
Resilience Sponsors: Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt, Kimberly-Clark
Leader Sponsor: McKesson
Advocate Sponsors: AT&T, EY, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, Bev Goulet, Jones Day, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Paula and Ron Parker, Texas Capital Bank, Texas Instruments
Media Sponsors: Dallas Business Journal; D CEO; Fort Worth Business Press, Local Profile, My Sweet Charity.
Additional sponsors are listed here: https://www.txwfluncheon.org/sponsors
About Texas Women’s Foundation:
Texas Women’s Foundation is Transforming Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities. One of the world’s largest women’s foundations, the Foundation raises funding from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $7 million in investments that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through groundbreaking research, advocacy, grants and programs. Since inception in 1985, the Foundation has invested $57 million in women and girls, including $43 million since 2011. The Foundation’s statewide research on issues affecting women and girls provides decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking and innovative programs support solutions that help Texas women and girls thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement and has deployed 100 percent of its assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now