Family violence agency, The Family Place, held it’s 23rd Annual Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon at the Omni Dallas Hotel with keynote speaker actress Laura Linney.
Co-chairs Marjon Henderson, Marisa Howard and Samantha Wortley welcomed more than 800 guests into the hotel’s ballroom along with the two-time Golden Globe winner, four-time Emmy Award winner and Academy Award-nominated actress.
The event kicked off with an intimate VIP Reception where guests mingled and took pictures with Linney. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, Real Housewives of Dallas star Stephanie Hollman, and CEO of The Family Place Paige Flink were among many lined up to get their photo snapped with the actress.
The luncheon got underway with a warm introduction from moderator Meredith Land of NBC 5, followed by an invocation from Mara Morhouse of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, and a greeting from the co-chairs.
Since 1996, the Texas Trailblazer Award has honored those who create positive change in the community. The luncheon is the largest educational event for The Family Place and is attended by philanthropists, corporations, members of the media, and other North Texas leaders.
This year’s Texas Trailblazer Awards were presented to six female CEOs of Dallas-based companies who are leading the charge in once male-dominated industries: Beth Garvey of BG Staffing Inc., Mandy Ginsberg of Match Group, Kim Lody of Capital Senior Living, Melissa Reiff of The Container Store, Lori J. Ryerkerk of Celanese and Jill Soltau of JCPenney. The Family Place also presented the “Real Life Hero” award to Lavinia Masters for her efforts to pass landmark legislation that protects sexual assault victims. While dining on pecan crusted chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetable medley, guests were treated to videos of the awardees and Masters, detailing their personal stories and decision to support The Family Place.
Following the awards, Land invited Linney on-stage for an intimate conversation. The two women dove into a discussion about how the actress broke into the entertainment industry, her experience and personal hurdles working in Hollywood, and the best and worst pieces of advice she’s received. Linney was candid, open, and honest about the struggles that all women face.
“The Family Place was beyond honored to have Laura Linney as this year’s keynote speaker at the Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon. A trailblazer herself, it means the world that she took the time to come out and support a cause close to all of our hearts,” said Paige Flink, Chief Executive Officer of The Family Place.
The Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon sponsors included Dominion Harbor, Hollman Inc., Dee Collins Torbert, Baylor Scott & White Health, Bullion, The Container Store, IAC, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, The Mary Kay Foundation, Willis Tower Watson Foundation, Village Giving Circle, Specialized Security Services, Inc., Mary Bowman Campbell, Katherine Glaze Lyle, Debbie Rader, Durham Family Foundation, Carolyn & David B. Miller, and Nancy C. Roger.
ABOUT THE FAMILY PLACE:
The Family Place empowers victims of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling, and skills that create independence while building community engagement and advocating for social change to stop family violence. In 1978 a group of community volunteers organized The Family Place as one of the first family violence shelters in the state. Today The Family Place is the largest family violence service provider in North Texas, with three emergency shelters providing 177 shelter beds each night, including the state’s only shelter for men and children. We served 13,016 clients with 169,672 hours of service last year alone. Over the past 41 years, we have counseled more than 216,500 clients, provided lifesaving shelter to more 25,000 women, men, and children, and answered more than 615,000 calls for help. We have helped more than 19,000 batterers learn how to change their abusive behavior and reach approximately 6,500 students each year through our youth education programs. All of our programs are provided in Spanish and in English.
