The Genesis Women’s Shelter‘s annual Mother’s Day Luncheon is always a big deal, but to celebrate their 25 years in operation they redefined “big.” To accomplish this goal, they brought in the big guns from start to finish. First they got former First Lady Laura Bush as honorary chair. (You probably know that Laura was one of the founders of the Genesis Alliance.) In turn Laura got former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice as the feature speaker for the event. (You do know that Condi used to work for Laura’s husband, former President George W. Bush.)
As soon as the news of the honorary chair and speaker hit email boxes, tables started selling and sponsors were lining up.
Then an uh-oh happened.
Word came that Laura might not be able to show because her book, Spoken From the Heart, was going on sale the same week, and she was needed to make appearances for its promotion. No problem. She would send a letter apologizing for her inability to attend, but still supporting the effort.
Then the big day came last Friday. As 1,800 gathered for the luncheon in the Chantilly Ballroom at the Anatole, a line snaked out of the pre-luncheon reception where VIP’s had the opportunity to have their photos taken with Condi. At 10:30 photographer Holt Haynsworth had everything set up for a quick one-two-snap with Condi in the center and the U.S. and Texas flags in the background. Condi arrived looking quite marvelous in a brown and black dress with a sweater and pearls. Without hesitation, she took her place in Holt’s staging area. Guests were hustled through. As some ladies got closer to their moment, they quickly reapplied lipstick and tossed their purses into a nearby pile (pictured) of Louis Vuittons, Coach, Bottega and Chanels. After all, you don’t want to be left holding the bag when you’re cozying up with Condi. It would seem so touristy.
By 10:55 the line was still out the door and the timeline was getting tight. Condi kept her 14K smile going. She must have been on the verge of going blind, being flashed every 20 seconds. Folks like Gary Jenks (pictured) even pulled out their cell phones to take photos of Condi being photographed by Holt. Luncheon co-chair Kimber Hartmann had the men in her life front and center to meet Dr. Rice. Husband Michael Hartmann straightened five-year old Beau‘s (pictured left with Michael) tie. After all it’s not every day that a gentleman meets a world-famous lady.
Over on the sidelines, Genesis Leader Jan Langbein was discussing with KXAS-CH. 5 anchor/luncheon emcee Jane McGarry the POA. Hmm, they seemed to be buzzing more than usual. Were they worried about running late? No, everything was on schedule. Must have been something, though.
At 11:16, the end of the line was in sight. Jan spotted the luncheon’s presenting sponsors Nancy and Richard Rogers (pictured) in line with everyone else. They wanted no favors to be pushed ahead of the others in line. It almost appeared that they were a party in themselves, laughing and having a jolly good time with others in line. Sorta like a moving cocktail party without the alcohol. Nancy reported that she was off to Cabo soon. Ah, to pick up some rays? Nope. Nancy was going to help Liga MAC, a charitable organization helping low-income families and individuals in crisis in San Jose del Cabo. Oh, Cabo, not Los Cabos.
Finally the last photo was taken and it was scramble time into the Chantilly filled wall-to-wall with tables. Olivia Kearney (pictured), who will be chairing Fort Worth’s Jewel Ball, arrived in beige looking for the Rogers’ table; Lydia and Isabell Novkaov escorted favorite mom/grandmom Isabell Haggar to their table; Allison Stuckey reported that she had left the working ranks and become a “Blackberry Mom;” Janie McGarr and Nancy Halbreich found their table with Nancy Dedman and Mary Watson (pictured right with Nancy); Pat Porter was preparing for Saturday night’s Obelisk Awards dinner and grateful that she just had to help out instead of orchestrating the whole thing this year; Kimberly Whitman (pictured) was glowing because she just found out that she’s going to be a mother again; and Gene Jones, Lee Ann White and Annette Simmons (pictured right with, from the left, Gene and Lee Ann) found their table practically on the 50-yard line.
Then the festivities started, with Jane recognizing all the right people and groups. Jan read Laura’s letter of apology and the Rev. Dr. Sheron Patterson gave one of her “passionate one-of-a-kind” invocations. That woman knows how to make a blessing memorable.
Checked with Genesis staff — “You’re sure that Laura’s not going to pop in.” Pause. Reply — “Well, no.” Not a very convincing “No,” but the Genesis staff wouldn’t fib.*
Looked up at the head table and every seat was taken, so there would be no surprise Laura.
Lunch was served. Gazpacho was supped; entrée salads were munched; and centerpieces of cakes were sliced up and served to the guests.
Jane (pictured) returned to the podium and introduced Jan, who in turn was to introduce Condi.
(FYI: If you don’t know Jan (pictured), you must realize the woman has never experienced a hesitant moment in her life.)
At 12:20 Jan gave a brief talk about Genesis and began to introduce Condi. But she started shuffling through her papers as if she’d lost her place. There was silence in the room. Imagine a room of predominantly females going silent. Jan kept shuffling the papers and finally admitted that it appeared that she was not to introduce the speaker.
Then, out of the blue, W walked on stage. The room that had been so silent erupted into an explosion of people cheering, standing and taking photos with their cell phones. They kept applauding. He tried to calm them down. They wouldn’t stop. The Anatole staff on the sidelines looked a bit mystified at the 1,800 going wild.
Finally, the crowd settled down and W (pictured) charmed even the most liberal Democrat in the room. He shilled Laura’s book, suggesting that it might make a great Mother’s Day gift. While he could have continued on about life after Washington, he turned the talk to Condi and told how one night he proudly watched his secretary of state accompany Yo-Yo Ma in a recital. Then as Condi took her place at the podium, he settled down in her vacant chair.
Condi (pictured) gave an intelligent but not too lengthy speech. She emphasized that societies are judged by the way they treat their women. Using experiences from her childhood and her work around the world as Secretary of State, she time and time again proved her point that the key to a successful society is the education of women.
Then before you knew it, the speech was over, and as the crowd rose to applaud Condi, the former president and his Mad Men Secret Service entourage quickly left via a backdoor.
Just as quickly, the 1,800 tried to make their exit from the Anatole. But, alas, the never-ending logjam of traffic leaving the Anatole compound was the usual do-si-do-and-we-don’t-go exercise in transportation futility. Even those who opted to carpool ala stretch limousine (pictured) found themselves looking like children waiting for their rides at University Park Elementary School and embracing their drivers like long-lost mothers.
Soapbox suggestion to the Anatole: Get a traffic expert in, tear up the present arrangement and put together an intelligent drop off/pick up facility. You spent a fortune renovating the interior of the Anatole, go ahead and spend some more cash on the exterior arrangements. There is nothing worse than attending a grand event inside, only to spend money and time waiting for a half hour for your vehicle because of poor logistics.
* Oh, the Genesis staff did not fib. Laura did not attend the luncheon. We just didn’t ask if any other Bushes would be attending.