While any opportunity to visit Kathy and Harlan Crow‘s library is reason to celebrate, Genesis Women’s Shelter And Support‘s fourth annual Evening With Gentle Men on Tuesday, November 7, had additional perks. Not only did guests have Crow Library Curator Sam Fore providing tours with such highlights as a hand-penned letter by Thomas Jefferson written just a couple of weeks after July 4, 1776, but they also heard from Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Rev. Casey Shobe about how they can be part of HeROs in the war against domestic abuse. Here’s a report from the field:
On Tuesday, November 7, 2019, Genesis Women’s Shelter And Support hosted its fourth annual An Evening with Gentle Men at the Crow Library. The room was bursting with men and women who share a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence, led in their passion by Event Co-Chairs Tiffany and Wade Jones and more than 50 host committee members. The Genesis HeROs (He Respects Others), a men’s group that inspires and challenges gentle men to become a part of the solution to domestic violence, presented the event.
Guests were invited to say “Bon Voyage!” and embark on an adventure around the world as they entered Harlan Crow’s illustrious private library, where each room had been transformed into a different country. The seven ports, each brilliantly decorated with location-specific accoutrements, offered attendees unique insight into the vibrant cultures, rich foods and refreshing drinks of the countries. As guests traveled through the rooms, they were greeted by colorful arrays of florals fit to each country that provided a breathtaking splash of color in each room, arranged by Park Cities Petals. Guests stepped into a classic French-quarter style scene of New Orleans where a private bar served nostalgic Old Fashioned cocktails and decadent black walnut pralines. Other highlights included guests warming up on the beaches of Polynesia, where a lounge served refreshing mojitos, and the lively colors of Argentina, which provided mouthwatering Latin-American cuisine and authentic margaritas. As attendees meandered through the countries ranging from India to Japan to Italy, Hunter Sullivan livened the crowd with big band and jazz music accompanied by his five-piece band, sponsored by the Kenneth and Kamela Aboussie Family Foundation. While enjoying the abundance of food and drink, guests were encouraged to explore the library and view Harlan Crow’s collection: rare books, manuscripts and artistic treasures spanning five centuries and historic gems from the American Civil War, American Revolution, the first European settlements in North America and more.
Attendees gathered in the main library and listened from the upper balcony to hear Genesis Women’s Shelter CEO Jan Langbein, who welcomed everyone to the event and talked about the life-saving services offered at Genesis. Then, Tiffany and Wade spoke about their involvement with Genesis. “As we prepare for our children to come home for the holidays, we couldn’t help but think about what the idea of ‘home’ means to us,” Wade said. “And then we realized that ‘home’ is the single most dangerous place for a woman.”
Rev. Casey Shobe of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration then shared his remarks about how men can get involved and become a part of the solution. For the rest of the evening, guests enjoyed the plentiful food and spirits and mingled with one another while taking in all that the beautiful library had to offer.
* Photo credit: Tamytha Cameron