With Easter and Passover in the rear view mirror, the next destination on the “special day calendar” is Mother’s Day. And when it comes to Mother’s Day, the Annual Genesis Luncheon is timed to be nearby. It’s already been announced that Hilary Swank will be the keynoter for the 25th Annual Genesis Luncheon on Friday, May 11, at the Anatole. But now Genesis Women’s Shelter And Support CEO Jan Langbein has just revealed who will be receiving the Jane Doe and HeRO awards.
In years past, the Jane Doe Award has been presented to individuals or organizations that display an extraordinary commitment to standing alongside women and their children throughout their journey to an abuse-free future. Past recipients have included the Junior League of Dallas, Serita Jakes, The Dallas Morning News and Jennifer Staubach Gate. This year’s award will go to Legal Aid Of Northwest Texas headed by CEO Maria Thomas-Jones. The organization has “provided high-quality civil legal representation to low-income families across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex since 1951.”
According to Jan, “Lack of access to civil legal representation can be the number one roadblock to leaving an abusive relationship. Legal Aid of Northwest Texas has represented thousands of our clients over the years, helping moms gain or retain custody of their children, and helping women safely move forward with their lives.”
The HeRO Award was created to recognize “men who use their voice and influence to take a public stands against domestic violence.” It was the very first recipient of the Jane Doe Award Created in 2013, it has been presented to Dale Hansen, Josh Ragsdale, Roger Staubach and David Brown. For 2018, it is going to Judge Roberto Cañas, who presides over Dallas County Criminal Court #10 “that is one of only six U.S. Department of Justice Domestic Violence Mentor Courts in the country. He also spearheads the county’s efforts to save lives by improving and enforcing a gun surrender program that keeps guns out of the hands of abusers.”
Jan described Roberto as “a role model, advocate and champion of justice. His commitment to improving the legal community’s response to domestic violence helps close the legal loopholes that often leave victims of violence at risk.”
The awards will be officially presented at an invitation-only, VIP Sponsor Party.
Individual tickets went on sale Sunday, April 1, but you know table of your buddies is so much more fun. Here’s a thought — get your BFF’s and their moms together for a table. Or, how about splurging and go for the upgraded level for you and your mom…or the person who has been like a mother to you?
* Photo provided by Genesis Women's Shelter And Support