Steve Tyrell dazzles luncheon guests
“To be truly radiant comes from within,” Philamena Baird told the Razzle Dazzle ladies who lunch. And in case anyone at the event benefiting the Bobetta C. Lindig Breast Care Center felt less than luminous, she and fellow co-chair Regina Garcia had arranged for gold drawstring bags containing rhinestone brooches to be placed at each tablesetting.
The event honored three-time breast-cancer survivor honoree Hallie
Vanderhider ,and Anne E. Neeson, Memorial Hermann Foundation executive vice president and CEO, waxed poetic over her illustrious private equity résumé, love of fashion and dynamic personality.
“I think what Anne is trying to say is that I can’t keep a job, I talk too much and have Fady (Armanious) style me,” Vanderhider quipped during her acceptance speech.
Vanderhider then switched gears, revealing why she rarely talked about her diagnosis. “I had a boss who said to keep your personal life out of the office. And my son had already experienced some loss in his life, and I didn’t want to pile on.”
But Vanderhider said meeting Kristina
Somerville two years ago introduced her to a new perspective. At the time, Somerville’s mother had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Their family went a different route, talking openly about it and even naming the tumor.
“Memorial Hermann makes it all less terrible,” Vanderhider said. “It’s a horrible ordeal for anyone to endure, but they seem to make it better. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone at Memorial Hermann found the cure — they’re that far ahead of the pack.”
After Bill King showed off his impressive — and somewhat surprising — auctioneer chops, Houston native, St. Thomas High School alum and Grammy-winning singer
Steve Tyrell lit up the stage with “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Stand by Me.”
The eighth annual soiree exceeded its goal, with more than $300,000 raised. For a $25 donation, supporters received a gold-rimmed champagne flute courtesy of Events and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree at Tenenbaum. Though Elizabeth Graham walked away with the five-figure jewelry prize, most departed the Westin Memorial City clutching their brooch swag or brand-new flutes — no woman left behind.