Lights Camera Action's 3rd Annual International Mothers' Day Soiree Embraces Diversity

“To empower a woman is to empower a nation,” these great words were a part of a United Nations women’s empowerment campaign, and were also quoted by our very own Founder/Host Ruchi Mukherjee at the 3rd Annual International Mother’s Day Soiree hosted at the newly renovated JW Marriott Downtown Houston on Thursday May 7, 2015.

Ruchi Mukherjee, who started her career in India as a crime beat reporter, has journeyed from breaking news to lifestyle hip parties. As an immigrant in Houston, Texas Ms Mukherjee came to this country with a dream and plenty of passion. She is blessed and very thankful to the City of Houston for embracing her dreams and her culture. A recent feather was added to Lights Camera Action’s Soiree as Mayor Annise Parker on behalf of the City of Houston proclaimed May 7th as Lights Camera Action International Mothers’ Day.

The JW Marriott in Downtown was a stunning backdrop for the beautiful women honored at the event. The Picasso Room was filled with spectators reflecting Houston’s diversity. The gap between Houston’s mainstream and ethnic communities was seamlessly brought together as ethnically diverse mothers walked the ramp in Elizabeth Anthony apparels.

Emcee for the show KPRC Anchor/Reporter Andy Cerota, did a wonderful job warming up the crowd with his good humor and good looks. Fashion Mogul and now real estate guru Neal Hamil, who was also the award presenter, joined hands with Ruchi Mukkherjee to introduce the honorees. Speaking to the crowd Neal expressed his love for the soiree and how much he missed his own mother. “I salute Ruchi for her hard work and this International Mothers’ Day Soiree is truly remarkable as it creates a strong sense of community. This event is unique as mothers from different religious and cultural backgrounds walk the ramp showcasing their individuality,” shares Hamil.

The group of moms featured were a mix of everything. From women with their own businesses, to anchor women, to a member of the Stafford police department, this group of women truly exemplified that women can do anything. Despite having busy careers and a full social calendar, each of these women have been able to balance it with motherhood and family life – an incredible feat to say the least! Walking the ramp with their kids were: Stafford Police Officer Ann Marie Carrizales, Melinda Spaulding (FOX 26 Anchor), Connie Kwan-Wong (Philanthropist/Entrepreneur), Shefali Tejani (Homemaker/Philanthropist/Fashionista), Roseann Rogers (Buzz Lady/Director of PR John Daugherty Realtors), Donae Chramosta (The Vintage Contessa), Nancy Almodovar (CEO NAN & Co Properties), Dr. Bridgitte Shen Lee (Vision Optique), Jerri Moore (Feature Film Producer), Debbie Pakzaban (Author/Writer), Kim Padgett (PR Guru The Padgett Group), Runsi Sen (Founder Ovarcome), Stephanie Von Stein (Director At Houston Bulgari), Rania Mankarious (Executive Director at Crime Stoppers of Houston), Maha Rasheed Khan (DIL President ELECT 2018) and Debbie Festari (Festari For Men).

Sue Habib, Miss Houston 2015 Thamer Kay Favor, Ruchi Mukherjee

Sue Habib, Miss Houston 2015 Thamer Kay Favor, and Ruchi Mukherjee

The event drew a large and notable crowd with some distinguished guests like Miss Houston 2015 Thamer Kay Favor, designer Jonathan Blake, Judge Clarease Yates, and Music Maestro Hidayat Khan.

Moms are such an integral part of our lives. They form, shape and inspire us to be all that we want and all that we can be. This event was certainly a reflection of that and the charity spotlight for the evening was Crime Stoppers of Houston. Several generous sponsors like NAN & Co Properties, Toni and Howard Tate, Amplified Solutions, Lexis Florist, Pushkala, Edward Sanchez Cosmetics, Karat 22, GreatNewSkin US, Bulgari, Alira Spa, Heaven on Earth, and many other generous supporters.

Cheering for the international mothers were: Michael Pearce and Matt Burrus, Staci Henderson, Rudy Festari, Vicki Rizzo, Neelofur Ahamad, Scott Brogan, Farida Abjani, Nicole O’Brian Lassiter, Alex Blair, Toni and Howard Tate, Sharon Melton, Tammy Tran and Wayne Nguyen, Girija and Anant Patel, Mehrnaz Gill, William Kennerly, Rob Todd, Sonia Soto, Katya Dow, Shabbar Tejani Kassam, Mayoral Candidate Marty McVey, Anjali Thakur Khwaja, Sanobar Jafri, Anika Jackson, Dr. Monira Hamid Kundi, and many others.

This video segment is sponsored by NAN & Co Properties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvGnMquciEs&feature=youtu.be

Photos by Sonya Abid and Quy Tran