Virginia Cook Received 2015 Woman of the Year Award at the Annual Les Femmes du Monde Gala
(October 28, 2015) Virginia Cook, founder of Virginia Cook, Realtors and community and business leader, was honored as the 2015 Les Femmes du Monde Woman of the Year at the annual gala which took place at the Dallas Country Club recently.
(Slideshow feature photo of Larry and Venise Stuart, gala chair; Alyce Heinrich, 2015 President, Les Femmes du Monde; Dennis Allen. Photo by Dana Driensky.)
Chaired by Venise Stuart, the gala began with a VIP champagne reception followed by the Presentation of the Flags by Boy Scout Troop 181 and the opening song, “America the Beautiful,” performed by the Southern Methodist University Stampede group.
Alyce Heinrich, president of Les Femmes du Monde, joined Venise in thanking the evening’s sponsors and underwriters, followed by the invocation by Barbara Marcum of Highland Park United Methodist Church. Dinner included an appetizer panzanella salad, entrée of boursin chicken, oven roasted rice pilaf with julienne vegetables and a selection of decadent chocolate desserts.
Jody Dean, KLUV 98.7 FM Morning Show host and Master of Ceremonies greeted the crowd and welcomed Venise and Alyce on stage as they presented an Honorary Chair Award in honor of Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, which was accepted by her son, Greg Miller. Tincy is a former Woman of the Year and a long time champion of children’s education, currently serving on the Texas State Board of Education, as well as a dedicated community volunteer.
A special treat was a video featuring many business and community leaders including Faye Gould, Roger Staubach, Herb Weitzman and more, expressing their best wishes and congratulations to Virginia Cook on receiving the Woman of the Year award. The Woman of the Year is someone who has helped make this organization and many nonprofits successful, embracing education for members and youth, while at the same time, helping others in our community have fuller, better lives through personal giving, fundraising, leadership and volunteerism.
SMU’s Stampede group serenaded Virginia with a song written especially for her by Judy Moore, whose group was entertaining tonight, entitled “Home Is Where The Heart Is,” and a selection of Virginia’s favorite songs, including, “My Girl” and Beatles classics. The gala evening was topped of with dancing to ballroom favorites.
2015 Beneficiaries: Proceeds from the event benefit two beneficiaries: The Child Life Program at Children’s HealthSM Children’s Medical Center and the International Education Program of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.
The Child Life Program’s primary goal is to minimize the impact of illness on a child’s normal growth and emotional and cognitive development. This involves establishing supportive relationships with patients and families and providing them with developmentally-appropriate information that helps them prepare for, understand and cope with their healthcare experiences.
The International Education Program (IEP) at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth seeks to educate students and teachers on how international events affect their lives, their communities, and their country. The goal is to empower students to become effective, active global citizens and leaders in the community. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2014, this program has impacted more than 1 million students and trained more than 8,000 teachers since its inception in 2004.
Media sponsors: Park Cities News/The Waters Family, My Sweet Charity.
Mission Statement: Since its beginning in 1961, Les Femmes du Monde is celebrating its 55th year of service. The mission is to provide funds for the support of the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas Child Life Program and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth International Education Program.
Membership: Membership in Les Femmes du Monde is open to the public and includes many benefits, such as invitations to events in private homes, the Woman of the Year celebration, New Member reception, Annual Meeting and Luncheon, and the opportunity to meet new friends and learn more about the world we live in.
Les Femmes Du Monde: Dedicated to Serving Dallas
Les Femmes du Monde has donated more than $2 million to the World Affairs Council of Dallas Fort Worth, and more than $670,000 to Children’s Medical Center.
Past Woman of the Year Honorees (in chronological order): Doris S. Dixon; Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler; Caroline Rose Hunt; Annette Strauss, Mayor of Dallas; Vivian Castleberry; Mary Kay Ash; Ebby Halliday; Catherine Crier; Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Senator; Laura Bush, First Lady of Texas; Juanita Miller; Nancy Brinker; Gloria Campos; Florence Shapiro, Texas State Senator; Liz Minyard and Gretchen Minyard Williams; Karen Hughes, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs; Billie Leigh Rippey; Dee Wyly; Anita Perry, First Lady of Texas; Yvonne Crum; Geraldine “Tincy” Miller; Dr. Gail Thomas, President and CEO, The Trinity Trust Foundation; Mary Lee Cox; Virginia Chandler Dykes, Gina Ginsburg, Lynn McBee, Margaret McDermott, Pat Smith, Nina Vaca.
(Press release courtesy Les Femmes du Monde. ACPR is honored to represent Les Femmes du Monde.)
