The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
+10 The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund for Health Education 10th Annual Wine Dinner
The Women’s Fund celebrated a record-breaking evening at its 10th Annual Wine Dinner, raising an impressive $485,000—more than double the amount from previous years. The move to The Astorian proved to be a game-changer, allowing the event to welcome a larger crowd after consistently selling out at Houston’s famed Tony’s Restaurant.
Over 250 wine and food enthusiasts gathered to toast the milestone alongside Chairs Vanessa and Chuck Ames. Guests indulged in a curated experience of sumptuous wines, exquisite culinary pairings, and lively entertainment, all while supporting The Women’s Fund’s mission.
The evening’s ambiance, designed by Swift & Co., was a vision in white and rosé. Elegant touches included tall vessels and urns adorned with white feathers, Revere bowls and bud vases filled with blush and white roses, glowing tealights, and sophisticated table settings featuring white china with gold trim atop black-and-white linens.
Guests were welcomed with an elegant reception featuring sumptuous passed hors d’oeuvres and sparkling bubbles, setting a festive tone for the evening. While mingling, attendees explored an array of silent and big board auction items and tried their luck at the Madam Zero Champagne Wall for a chance to win a private Champagne Tasting for 10, along with coveted gift cards from deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry. Luxury silent auction and big board items included Date Night for year from Steak48, chef-crafted in-home dinner from Chopped alum Chef Lena Le, a Zadoks VIP night of sparkle and Houston Ballet, jewelry, restaurant experiences, and rare wines.
The culinary offerings from Jackson & Co. delighted with bites like Foraged Mushroom Wellington, Beef Tartare on Potato Chips, Seared Tuna Carpaccio on Pita, and Crispy Artichokes—all perfectly paired with PV Poema Brut Cava DO. The sparkling selection was generously sponsored by Amy and Rob Pierce and Alexandra Bruskoff.
As dinner chimes rang, guests made their way to their seats, where Event Chairs warmly welcomed them and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support.
The evening honored the inaugural Toast to Resilience Class – a distinguished group of honorees whose leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication reflect the very heart of the organization’s mission. Each honoree has championed the resilience of women and girls in the community, inspiring others to rise, thrive, and lead with confidence.
Amy Pierce introduced honorees Paulina and Jim McGrath and presented them with the Visionary Spirit Award, while Monica Fulton called Gina Gaston Elie to be recognized with the Resilient Heart Award, and Chuck Ames recognized Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown as the Champions of Community Award.
The delectable dining experience included the following harmoniously paired with the following wines:
House Cured Steelhead Carpaccio with Meyer Lemon Sabayon paired with 2023 Duchman Family Winery, Vermentino, Texas High Plains and Sponsored by Inscription Capital/Jillian Nel
Wild Mushroom Agnolotti with Brown Butter and Sage paired with 2022 EnRoute, ‘Les Pommiers’ Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Charcoal-Grilled Filet with Salsa Verde, Rapini, Pecorino Polenta and Red Wine Jus paied and Focaccia paired with 2022 Tentuta di Biserno, ‘Insoglio del Cinghiale’ Toscana IGT
Bittersweet Chocolate Tart with Sea Salt and Olive Oil Sponsored by Armine+Ambrose
Between courses, guests were surprised and delighted by a pop-up mini auction featuring specialty wines and indulgent experiences—like caviar and champagne service, chilled white Burgundy, and exquisite red Burgundy—for lucky winners to share with their tablemates. .
Guests toasted to The Women’s Fund success and lifted their paddles up high while auctioneer Johnny Holloway of Johnny Bravo Productions led the live auction, which began with a surprise package featuring a round of handcrafted Old Fashioneds for the winner’s table and a legendary happy hour at Lee’s. Additional live auction items included a 10-night stay at a private home for 8 guests in Majorca, Spain – that sold twice; 15 seats in a luxury suite at the Toyota Center for a slam dunk night of the Rockets; a curated VIP Napa getaway for two hosted by acclaimed wine concierge Scotti Stark; custom artwork from Angela Fabbri, and the opportunity to appear in a guest spot on Chris Shepherd’s Emmy-Award winning show Eat Like a Local – which also sold twice!
The funds raised at the 10th Annual Wine Dinner will ensure that women and girls in the Houston area continue to have access to essential resources, empowering them to advocate for their health through a range of classes, workshops, lectures, and publications focused on physical, mental, financial, and emotional well-being.
The Women’s Fund Wine Dinner sponsors included: Grand Cru Presenting Sponsor Vanessa and Chuck Ames and Natalie and Steve Mohtashami; Premier Cru Sponsors Jessica and Brian Leeke and Caroline and Matthew Monday; Reserve Sponsors Monica Fulton, Gina Gaston Elie, Lisa and Charlie Meacham, Jackie Macha and Brian Faulkner, Martha Walton, and Memorial Hermann; Estate Sponsors The Arts of Healing Foundation, Dee Dee Guggenheim Howes, Meredith Marshall, Luvi Wheelock, Friends of Paulina and Jim McGrath, Friends of Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown, Insperity, Meghan and Jerry Hughes, Jr., Mary Beth Robinson, Pierpont Communications, Katie and Seth Tsuru, Stephanie Tsuru, UT Health Houston – McGovern Medical School; and Valet Sponsor Pierpont Communications.
Board members in attendance included, Abby Alford, Aradine Stephenson, Arpita Bhandari, Cherise Esparza, Elysa Nelson, Erin Cummings, Jackie Macha, Jillian Nel, Kathy Johnson, Katie Tsuru, Lauren Summerville, Lisa Rogers, Marilyn Sumner, Martha Walton, MaryBeth Robinson, Monica Fulton, Pat Sturdivant, Philamena Baird, Stephanie Hill, Tahirah Baker, and Tina Hines Wrotenbery.
About The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency
The Women’s Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to providing Houston-area women and girls with the tools they need to be advocates for their health. Since 1979, The Women’s Fund has served women and girls by providing health education, community seminars, programs, and publications.
The Women’s Fund collaborates with community partners to provide its programs and resources free of charge to communities with limited access to health information. Houston area women and girls learn resiliency skills to increase self-efficiency, decision-making, goal setting, communication, and resourcefulness to be their own health advocates and ensure positive health outcomes for individuals and communities.
For more information, visit www.thewomensfund.org, call 713-623-6543, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Photos by Johnny Than
