Kristin Chenoweth is more than the adorable, Tony Award-winning sweetheart of Broadway. She’s also an upfront-type gal from Oklahoma with a wicked sense of humor. For instance, in her book “A Little Bit Wicked,” she recalled when meeting NBC chief Jeff Zucker, who axed her show after a few episodes, she tells him: ‘Hey! Thanks for canceling my show, you party-pooper.’”
But there’s a backstage story for this 4’11” powerhouse. When she was just five days old, she was adopted by Junie and Jerry Chenoweth. Over the years Kristin was surrounded by a loving immediate and extended family in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. But it wasn’t all wonderful. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer thanks to a mammogram. Her aunt Judy Patterson was a two-time breast cancer survivor. Her aunt Roselan Carr had both breast and brain cancer that killed her. Her Oklahoma City University vocal teacher Florence Birdwell had had breast cancer while Kristin was a student.
The Oklahoman reported Kristin’s admitting, “While I was in college, she [Florence] had a break. She had breast cancer. None of us knew at the time, of course. We were young, we were selfish, we were learning our music. All we wanted to do was be ourselves and have a good time and do college. But here she was going through breast cancer.”
According to 2019 Celebrating Women Luncheon Chair Laura Downing and her gal pal/Underwriting Chair Cheryl Joyner, Kristin is bringing her energy and mission for “a world without breast cancer” to the 20th annual anniversary of the Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation fundraiser.
Taking place on Friday, October 11, at the Hilton Anatole, sponsorships are available now here to support “the women and men who pass through our doors access to advanced diagnostic equipment, innovative clinical research, and most importantly, safe, quality, compassionate care.”
BTW, in addition to Margo and Bill Goodwin serving as honorary co-chairs, the Circle of Care Award will honor the late Al G. Hill Jr.