The Genesis Women’s Shelter‘s 31st Annual Luncheon on Friday, April 12, at the Hilton Anatole was neatly in place when it was announced last year, with Luncheon Co-Chairs Nancy Gopez and Maggie Kipp on board. But then word arrived this week that, due to circumstances beyond anybody’s control, the announced featured speaker would be unable to attend.
Like all the North Texas non-profit chieftains who’d survived the roller coaster months of changes in fundraising during COVID-19, Genesis CEO Jan Langbein immediately got on the phone to notify sponsors that she had locked down multi-talented, award-winning Sheryl Lee Ralph to be the April luncheon’s featured speaker.
Sheryl has all the DNA of a standout on both Broadway and the screen, with countless nominations and an Independent Spirit Award for “To Sleep With Anger,” as well as an Emmy, a Peabody, A Critic’s Choice Television Award, A Screen Actors Guild Award and a Black Reel Awards for “Abbott Elementary.”
Just this past week, Whoopi Goldberg brought Sheryl to tears on “The View” asking her if she would reprise her role in 1993’s “Sister Act 2” for a follow-up that is currently being planned.
And she has a marvelous sense of humor, telling Seth Meyers how in attending a constitutional law class at Rutgers, she walked out of a lecture by a short woman with a “severe bun.” Years later she found out that the lecturer had been Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Besides being a “passionate advocate, Sheryl made headlines last year with the revelations that she had been the victim of a sexual assault allegedly by a “famous TV judge” that set the internet reeling.
Word has it that Sheryl was so thrilled about the Dallas fundraiser, she’s coming in the day before to attend the patron party on Thursday, April 11.
In addition to Sheryl serving as the keynote speaker and longtime Genesis supporter Nancy K. Best being the luncheon’s honorary chair, the organizers have just announced the 2024 awards including:
- HeRO Award: Vic Drabicky for his efforts to create a safe world for women and children by setting a true example of what it means to be a gentle man.
- Jane Dow Award: Jensen Project Founder/Executive Director Janet Jensen, who has used her “strength in business, innovation and creativity to cultivate opportunities for individuals and organizations dedicated to empowering survivors of sexual violence and reducing exploitation.”
As everyone knows, along with sponsorships come perks. For instance, sponsorships at the Gold level and above will have the exclusive opportunity to attend a VIP Sponsorship Party as well as a VIP Photo Opportunity with Sheryl the morning of the luncheon.
Starting at $2,500, sponsorships are available here until Monday, March 25. If there are any individual tickets available, they’ll go on sale some time in March.
* Graphic provided by Genesis Women's Shelter