Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1420844
A record $3.3 million was raised at the recent Planned P a re n t h o o d o f Greater Texas' A n n u a l D a l l a s Awards event co- chaired by Katherine Perot Reeves and Anne Clayton Vroom. Sally Dunning, recipient of the 2021 Gertrude Shelburne Humanitarian Award, was honored the evening before the annual event, for the impact she's had on the lives of countless Texans. The next morning at the AT&T Opera House, an already hyped-up crowd stood and clapped along to singer Benita Arterberry's rendition of Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire." Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas CEO Ken Lambrecht then took the podium to announce the launch of a multi-year fundraising campaign called Together. No Matter What. More than 80 percent of those funds will support healthcare services for uninsured patients at the organization's 24 health centers. The $65 million campaign was expanded to include funds needed to counter the new SB 8 law (Texas' heartbeat bill), which severely restricts a woman's reproductive rights. As of September 20, 298 donors had contributed $45 million towards this patient-care campaign. The main event of the day was a talk onstage with women's-rights icon Cecile Richards, moderated by Matrice Ellis-Kirk. The morning felt all about female empowerment: "I come from a long line of badass women," Richards said. As the program concluded, it was revealed that a group of restaurants — favorites among the ladies-who-lunch set, including Grange Hall, Georgie, and Le Bilboquet — were donating 20 percent of their receipts from a post- event brunch to Planned Parenthood. Jennifer Karol invited me to join her group for their reservation at Grange Hall, but first we popped in for air- kisses at Bilboquet, where we bumped into Holly Hands, Abigail Sinwell, Muffin Lemak, Lael Brodksy, Amy Isom, and Carrie Becker. At Grange Hall, our lively lunch included Jessica Nowitzki, Dianna Miller, Barbara Buzzell, and Joyce Goss, and Reeves and Vroom popped in for a victory lap. Hugs and high fives abounded for the success of their day. THESE GIRLS ARE ON By Billy Fong. Photography Christina Bowman. FIRE Anne Clayton Vroom Abigail Sinwell Selwyn Rayzor Lisa Kraus Shawn Wills, Jessica Nowitzki Katherine Perot Reeves Anne Clayton Vroom Jennifer Karol Kara Goss Carolyn Perot Rathjen Katherine Perot Reeves, Margot Perot Matrice Kirk Judge Jenkins DJ Lucy Wrubel Benita Arterberry from the Voices of Light Gospel Choir Sally Dunning Ken Lambrecht PAPERCITY PROMOTION 117