Extravagant Ball Gowns and Runway of Philanthropic Ladies – All at the Women of Distinction Winter Ball
The Renaissance themed 2013 Winter Ball, chaired by Danielle Ellis and Mary Ann McKeithan and Honorary Chairmen Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein brought in over $715,000. About 600 guests gathered on January 26, 2013 at the Hilton Americas for this high profile gala benefiting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
The Winter Ball honored 12 Women of Distinction who have supported the community through volunteerism, including the first ever Legendary Woman of Distinction Margaret Alkek Williams. This year’s honorees were Jana Arnoldy, Darlene Bisso, Donna Bruni, Arvia Few, Debbie Leighton, Nidhika Mehta, Alice Mosing, Liz Rigney, Elizabeth Stein, Pamela Wright and the 2013 Woman of Distinction Ambassador, Sidney Faust. Also honored during the program were over 40 ladies who were past Women of Distinction, all of whom continue to do good works in Houston.
Pershant Mehta, Komal Oberoi, Dhiraj Oberoi, Nidhika Mehta
The Winter Ball has been honoring Houston’s distinctive women and this was the first time when the organization had an Indian American as a honoree, Nidhika Mehta, and Lights Camera Action was personally very proud and thrilled about this honor as she has been very active in the community. She came to Houston after she married her loving husband, Pershant. Her great passion to help and educate children led to her involvement with UNICEF, Texas Children’s Hospital and many local and international charities. Being concerned with the needs of the elderly, she also serves on the board of the Huffington Center on Aging, and also a supporter of arts, culture and fashion. Nidhika looked stunning in a black lehenga sari by designer Sabyasachi as she stood proudly next to her husband and parents who specially flew from Kuwait for this occasion.
Joanne King Herring with friend
A garden setting was created to greet guests during the reception, later they proceeded to the castle like ballroom, all in keeping with the Renaissance theme. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Legendary Woman of Distinction Margaret Alkek Williams from a carriage provided by Stewart Title used in Gone With The Wind. Two amazing live auction items kept the audience glued to their seats: A 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL450, generously donated by the Mercedes Benz Dealers of Greater Houston and a custom made necklace and bracelet by Franco Valobra.
A stunning evening with exquisite ball gowns. Danielle Ellis’s hot pink ensemble was a sure head turner along with Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein who looked wow in navy blue. Red sophisticated gowns predominated the ballroom and some opted for the Renaissance look. Even though it was a glamorous evening, emphasis was none the less on the cause and the contributions of the women towards the community helping to inspire many others.
Amongst the sophisticated bunch were: Lisa and Jerry Simon, Susan Boggio, Deborah Duncan, Mehrnaz and Ned Gill, John E Bradshaw, Joanne King Herring, Karen and Scott Rozell, and Catherine and Andrew Kaldis, Robert Sakowitz, Gina and Devinder Bhatia, Emcee for the evening Melanie Lawson, and many others.
