Tanya Brown, sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson

Winners have been named for the 2011 Legacy of Women Awards, chosen annually and honored a  fall luncheon benefiting SafeHaven of Tarrant County.

This years luncheon, set for Oct. 14 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, will feature keynote speaker Tanya Brown, youngest sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson.

Honorees are nominated by the public, and chosen for their outstanding contributions by specially-formed committees. This year’s winners and their catergories are:

Winners in the arts  Shirley Orr, of Theatre Arlington; Deborah Ferguson, news anchor at NBC 5; and portrait artist Cheri Irwin. For the business category, selected were Connie Gauntt, owner of Gene Allen’s Gift Stores; attorney Patricia Cole; and Realtor and broker Roxann Taylor.

Education honorees include Judy Leflore, director of the Pediatric and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs at University of Texas at Arlington; Triesha Light, psychology professor at Tarrant County College;  and Shea Stanfield-McGarrah, pre-kindergarten coordinator for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district. Winning for health and human services are Jackie Finch, president of Cancer Research Foundation of North Texas; Dr. Karen Albritton, director of adolescent and young adult oncology at Cook Children’s Medical Center; and Jenny Ellis, oncology nurse specialist at Texas Health HEB Hospital.

Outstanding for their volunteerism are Laura Distefano, Martine Ginsburg, Ginny Richards and Karen Parsinen.

Guest speaker Brown and her family created The Nicole Brown Foundation in 1994 to educate communities on strategies to prevent domestic violence. Nicole Brown Simpson’s famous ex-husband, O.J. Simpson was accused of her murder in 1994 before being found not guilty in a controversial decision. Tanya Brown recently was the keynote speaker at The Sixth Annual Conference to Promote Mental Health and Prevent Mental Illness in Washington, D.C.
A frequent guest on national TV programs, Tanya Brown is completing her master’s degree in counseling at Argosy University.

For sponsorship information, contact Valerie Salter at 817-546-6040, ext. 246 or vsalter@safehaventc.org.  Additional information about SafeHaven is available by visiting www.safehaventc.org.

Tanya Brown, sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson

Tanya Brown, youngest sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson, will be the featured speaker at the annual Legacy of Women Awards Luncheon Oct. 14 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel.

Tanya Brown and her family created The Nicole Brown Foundation in 1994 to educate communities on strategies to prevent domestic violence. Nicole Brown Simpson’s famous husband, O.J. Simpson was accuse of her murder in 1994 before being found not guilty in a controversial decision. Tanya Brown recently was the keynote speaker at The Sixth Annual Conference to Promote Mental Health and Prevent Mental Illness in Washington, D.C.

A frequent guest on national TV programs, Tanya Brown is completing her master’s degree in counseling at Argosy University.

The speaker will be just one of many highlights at the luncheon that honors outstanding community women in a variety of professions.

Winners and their categories are:

Arts–Arlington: Shirley Orr, Theatre Arlington;Fort Worth: Deborah Ferguson, NBC 5; and Northeast Tarrant County: Cheri Irwin, portrait artist

Business–Arlington: Connie Gauntt, Gene Allen’s Gift Stores; Fort Worth: Patricia Cole, Decker Jones; and Northeast Tarrant County: Roxann Taylor, Roxann Taylor and Associates Realtors.

Education–Arlington: Judy Leflore, University of Texas at Arlington; Fort Worth: Triesha Light;Northeast Tarrant County: Shae Stanfield-McGarrah, Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district.

Health and Human Services–Arlington: Jackie Finch, Cancer Research Foundation of North Texas; Fort Worth: Dr. Karen Albritton, Cook Children’s Medical Center; and Northeast Tarrant County: Jenny Ellis, Texas Health HEB Hospital.

Volunteerism–Arlington: Laura Distefano; Fort Worth: Martine Ginsberg and Ginny Richards, Gill Children’s Services; and Northeast Tarrant County: Karen Parsinen.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County, a nonprofit organization that exists to end family violence, operates two emergency shelters.  In 2010, SafeHaven sheltered more than 2,338 adult and child victims and provided non-residential services through our Resource Centers to more than 3,300 other clients.

For more information, visit  www.safehaventc.org or call 817-535-6462.

Fifteen women who will be honored at SafeHaven’s 18^thLegacy of Women Awards luncheon, set for Oct. 29 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. 

The women selected represent diverse aspects of the arts, business, education, health and human services, and volunteerism. This year’s format was changed to include an honoree in each category from three geographic areas: northeast Tarrant County, greater Fort Worth and greater Arlington. 

The 15 chosen will be recognized at the October luncheon where Darren McGrady, former chef to Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth will serve as keynote speaker. The event serves as a fundraiser for SafeHaven of Tarrant County, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending family violence. SafeHaven of Tarrant County operates two emergency shelters that can accommodate 174 women and children in Tarrant County.

The 2010 honorees and their categories include:

Arts

Arlington: LeeAnn Chenoweth-Lawson, president, producer and violinist for Timeless concerts

Fort Worth: Rebecca Low, owner and sculptor at Rebecca Low Sculptural Metal Gallery and Studio.

Northeast Tarrant County:  DeeAnn Blair, executive producer at Artisan Center Theater.

 Business

Arlington: Taylor Gray, owner of The Shoppes at Brownstone Village.

Fort Worth: Shirlee Gandy, owner at RPM Commercial.

Northeast Tarrant County: Susan Clark, owner of Sweet Memories Cakes and Catering.

Education

Mansfield: Dee Lemser, retired teacher at Mansfield ISD.

Fort Worth: Mary Cinatl, director of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth

Northeast Tarrant County: Janice Kane, executive director of the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Education Foundation.

Health & Human Services

Arlington: Donna Bertram, vice president and chief nursing officer at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital.

Fort Worth: Susan Sward-Comunelli, president of the board and medical director of Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas.

Northeast Tarrant County: State Rep. Vicki Truitt, District 98.

Volunteerism

Arlington: Cristy Duke, volunteer for Junior League of Arlington, the Boys and Girls Club, The Oakridge School and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Fort Worth: Gail Landreth, volunteer for Historic Fort Worth, Inc., Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Jewel Charity and The Junior League of Fort Worth.

Northeast Tarrant County: Shirley Schollmeyer, volunteer for the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, The City of Colleyville, Colleyville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Colleyville Women’s Club and  the Colleyville Garden Club.

For more information, visit the website at www.safehaventc.org or call 817 535-6462.

Something to celebrate Monday night at the 4th Annual Celebrity Chefs Benefit and Auction…Mid-Cities Supporters of SafeHaven jumped into a new category.

With co-chairs Donna Burdette and Anna Saunders organizing the event at the Hilton in Southlake Town Square, Monday night the group surpassed the $1 million mark in its donations to SafeHaven.  Early numbers have this year’s total topping $90,000.

The fundraiser, which aids child victims of domestic violence, included a stable full of fabulous chefs who not only trotted out their specialty dishes, but also offered up exclusive dinners for auction. For their part, the chefs whipped up an impressive array of treats for us, the lucky party-goers. From pulled pork to tenderloin to gourmet mac ‘n cheese to crepes, the food was outstanding. Participating in helping a crowd of people blow their new year’s diets were Chef Jaime Aguilar of Copeland’s of New Orleans; Chef Hans Bergman of Cacharel Restaurant and Grand Ballroom; Chef Sally Bolick and Chef Mike Swirczynski of Strong Bravo!! Catering and Event Planning; Chef Joanne Bondy of the Gaylord Texan’s Old Hickory Steakhouse; Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Restaurant; Chef Susan Clark of Creative Memories Cakes & Catering;Chef Eric Hunter of Fire Oak Grille; Chef Brian Olenjack of Olenjack’s Grille; Chef Morris Salerno of The Grotto; Chef Manuel Vera of Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House; Chef Chris Wilson of Market Street; Chef Mark Yamada of Trophy Club Country Club and Chef Charles Youts of The Classic Cafe.

Very special in this year’s live auction was a ruby-and-diamond brooch. The jewel had belonged to the late Colleen Meadows, a long-time supporter of Mid-Cities SOS, and her friend, Leah Shaver, had the honor of circulating the ballroom enticing potential buyers to bid on the sparkly reminder of Colleen.

But besides the money raised for a worthy cause, the evening was a delightful way to start the week. Just as we got to the end of the red-carpet entrance, we were offered a glass of bubbly. Nice touch. And maybe a bit of a good luck charm because by the end we truly had something to celebrate!

Chef Noah Miller of Southlake’s Central Market will be taking the lead chef position for the Fourth Annual Celebrity Chefs, the Jan. 18th fundraiser at the Hilton in Southlake Town Square.

From 6 to 9:30 p.m. that evening, Miller will be joined by a team of other local chefs, in a charitable effort for SafeHaven of Tarrant County. In addition to presenting a signature dish, each chef will offer an exclusive dinner for the live auction. Serving as co-chairs are community volunteers Donna Burdette and Anna Saunders at this benefit sponsored annually by Mid-Cities Supports of SafeHaven.

This year’s chefs showing off their culinary creativity for guests to sample will be Chef Jaime Aguilar of Copeland’s of New Orleans; Chef Hans Bergman of Cacharel Restaurant and Grand Ballroom; Chef Sally Bolick and Chef Mike Swirczynski of Strong Bravo!! Catering and Event Planning; Chef Joanne Bondy of the Gaylord Texan’s Old Hickory Steakhouse; Chef Jon Bonnell of Bonnell’s Restaurant; Chef Susan Clark of Creative Memories Cakes & Catering;Chef Eric Hunter of Fire Oak Grille; Chef Brian Olenjack of Olenjack’s Grille; Chef Morris Salerno of The Grotto;  Chef Manuel Vera of Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House; Chef Chris Wilson of Market Street; Chef Mark Yamada of Trophy Club Country Club and Chef Charles Youts of The Classic Cafe.

Tickets costs $125 per person, with proceeds benefiting SafeHaven’s programs for children. Tickets are available by calling Donna Burdette at 817-545-7012 or emailing donnaburdette@tx.rr.com

 For more information about the non-profit organization, contact SafeHaven at www.safehaventc.org or call 817-535-6462.

The Legacy of Women Awards luncheon honored five local women.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County announced five winners for its 2009 Legacy of Women Awards, a luncheon which took place earlier this month at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

The non-profit organization, dedicated to fighting domestic abuse, annually honors local women for their work in various categories. This year’s categories and the honorees were: arts,
Margo Dean, owner of Margo Dean School of Dance; business, Christine Cook, president of Sleep Experts; education, Nina Jackson: director of adolescent pregnancy services of Fort Worth school district; health and human services, Ramona Osburn: director of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Springwood; and volunteerism, Louise Appleman, a volunteer for Tarrant County College District, Streams and Valleys, Visiting Nurse Association, Women’s Foundation of North Texas

The Legacy of Women luncheon raised $150,000 to support SafeHaven’s emergency shelters and other critical services for domestic violence victims and their children. Elizabeth Ray served as chair for the event.

Ginny Tigue

SafeHaven of Tarrant County, (www.safehaventc.org) a non-profit agency serving domestic abuse victims, kicked off its “$30,000 in 30 Days” major gifts campaign this month.

Ginny Tigue of Colleyville is chairing the campaign, part of SafeHaven’s celebration of serving domestic violence victims in Tarrant County for more than 30 years. An anonymous donor has agreed to match what SafeHaven contributors donate during this 30-day campaign.

In 1976, local women founded the Women’s Haven in Fort Worth to serve the area’s battered women and children. Two years later, women in Arlington followed suit and founded The Women’s Shelter. The two organizations merged to form SafeHaven in 2006.

“In these tough financial times, we set the goal to raise $30,000 for our 30th birthday,” said Tigue. “We want to commemorate the thousands of women who have created violence-free lives for themselves using SafeHaven’s services.”

The campaign will end with an Oct. 1st reception given by Len and Laurie Roberts at their Fort Worth home. Two mother-daughter teams are heading up preparations for the party: Reece Small, vice president of marketing and development at SafeHaven, and her daughter, Brook Whitworth, plus SafeHaven CEO Mary Lee Hafley and her daughter, Holly Gathright. Other celebration committee members include Lauren Smith and Lacy Walker. The party will launch the SafeFutures Society, a group of donors who will make a minimum $1,000 contribution annually.

For more information about the campaign or to join SafeFutures Society, please contact Reece Small at 817-535-6462, ext. 105 or rsmall@safehaventc.org.

SafeHaven’s Young Professionals Group will be launched with its first-ever event at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at BlackFinn American Saloon in Arlington.

According to Sarah McClellan-Brandt, a Safehaven staff member, attendees will have the opportunity to meet other area young professionals and learn how to join the group while enjoying BlackFinn’s appetizers and drink specials for a $5 donation. The donation will benefit SafeHaven’s emergency shelter and counseling programs for victims of domestic violence.

Reservations are requested but not required. To RSVP, contact McLellan-Brandt at 817-535-6462, ext. 119. For more information about SafeHaven of Tarrant County, check www.safehaventc.org.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County has set June 18th as the date for a party kicking off its new networking group for young professional supporters.

The event, planned for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., will be held at Blackfinn American Saloon, 4001 Bagpiper Way, in Arlington.

Young professionals under the age of 40 are targeted for membership. At the June event, attendees will get the chance to network and also learn about SafeHaven and the services the agency provides to survivors of domestic violence.

Information will be provided concerning group membership.Attendees will also find out about how to join the SafeHaven Young Professionals group. Contact Sarah McClellan-Brandt at 817-535-6462, ext. 119 or smbrandt@safehavent.org to RSVP or for more information.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County, a nonprofit organization, exists to end family violence through safety, support, prevention and social change. SafeHaven’s two emergency shelters, one in Arlington and one in Fort Worth, together accommodate 174 women and children, making SHTC one of the largest shelters in Texas.

For immediate assistance regarding domestic violence, please contact the 24 hour toll free crisis hotline at 1-877-701- SAFE (7233).