As LCAHouston nears its 10th anniversary, we stop and take a moment to reflect on the renowned publication’s past and beginnings, appreciate its current important role in our community, and dream about its incandescent future with founder and editor-in-chief Ruchi Mukherjee. LCAHouston is more than just a magazine; it’s a brand, it’s a catalyst for change. It’s the International Mother’s Day Soirée.

Ruchi Mukherjee

“I remember the first Mother’s Day Soirée so well,” Ruchi Mukherjee reminisces to me about the beginnings of her now iconic extravaganza. It’s a temperate Spring evening in Houston. Ruchi, and her daughter, Aryika, are promenading about Gitting’s Studios, getting comfortable in their dresses. The delightful pair are getting professional mother-daughter photos taken for the Neiman Marcus Window showcase. “At the time, I wanted a small, chic event to honor philanthropic, ethnic moms. My real inspiration for the whole thing is actually my own mother,” she says. She is referring, of course, to the first International Mothers Day Soirée that took place in May of 2013. “I was writing a Sunday column for The Statesman – a 137 year-old English daily newspaper in Kolkata – and I decided to cover the ethnic ‘it’ moms of Houston at the time.” Needless to say, the column became a huge success among the movers and shakers of the Bayou City.

Ruchi recounts that, when the idea of the International Mother’s Day Soirée came to her, she had not a clue how to throw a big event. “I’m a journalist. Give me a story and I’ll do it. But an event? I had no idea where to start.”

By the grace and kindness of dear friend and artist Wade Wilson, whose Montrose art gallery specialized in abstract art, Mukherjee’s first event honoring diverse and philanthropic moms of Houston was able to happen. Wade had known the journalist for many years and offered up his gallery as the backdrop for her first Soirée. “I picked 12 honorees from every ethnic background. At the time, other Houston society columns and publications mainly catered to mainstream society. I didn’t see much representation of ethnicity at any of the high-profile Best Dressed or Distinctive Women events. The Soirée, in part, helped bridge the gap between the ethnic and mainstream community.” Honorees and participants of the first Soirée included names like Gabriela Dror, Jackie Bailey, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Mandy Kao, Shelena Lalji. All of the ladies did phenomenal work for their communities.

The buzz of the first Soirée was, in fact, so riveting that Neiman Marcus played host for the publication’s subsequent event. The venues kept getting bigger and grander as attendance skyrocketed year after year. It became increasingly common to see Houston celebrities supporting Ruchi’s publication and attending her parties. What caught the innovative journalist’s eye, however, was not just the presence of splendid socialites drinking her champagne. Following the hum of the first couple of International Mothers Day Soirées, Houston slowly began incorporating more ethnicity into their events and society columns. “I started seeing so many women who have been honorees be contacted by other society columns and influential people,” Ruchi states. “I felt that it was definitely LCAHouston that paved the way for diversity being highlighted in Houston.”

I can’t help but be awe-struck at the sheer truth of her words. The event has become a household name – as have many of her original supporters, honorees and chairs. Toni and Howard Tate, Yolanda Adams, Killian Hennessy, Dominique Sachse, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Brigitte and Bashar Kalai, Rania Mankarious, Ping Sun, Rekha Muddaraj, and others have become synonymous with what it means to be a devoted Houstonian. And, of course, these individuals are true Houston gems by their own right, but I doubt it’s coincidence that their impacts are as far-reached and profound as the revolutionary strides of LCAHouston. “I strongly believe when you empower a woman you empower the nation,” she says.

This year’s International Mother’s Day Soirée sold out in January. The event is taking place for the third time in a row at the Asia Society Texas Center which, in addition to having a longstanding relationship with LCAHouston, has space just large enough for a diverse, yet tight-knit, crowd. “I still have the vision to keep it short and sweet. I want it to be intimate. I don’t want it to feel like a gala,” explains Ruchi. Long-time Soirée supporters Rekha Muddaraj and Toni Tate are chairing.

The desire for intimacy among her friends and her patrons stems from the journalist’s desire to place love and friendships first. “I must tell you, Natalie, that money can come and go but friendships are forever. At the end of the day, loyalty and friendship are what matter most.” Sure, LCAHouston is a glitzy, sleek publication, but what sets it apart is its genuine dedication to Houston’s women, philanthropy, and international community.

We are nearing the end of our casual tête-a-tête, but I must know what’s in store for the brand’s bright future. “I would love to eventually see LCAHouston in different cities – New York, Los Angeles, even Paris,” says Ruchi. “I’ve experienced the New York society scene, and they’ve got absolutely nothing like LCAHouston there to bridge the gap between mainstream society and the international set.”

Ruchi leaves me with one last bit of insight to her creative mind. “I believe in dreaming big but taking baby steps,” she says. And with an unmistakable gleam in her eye and a far-away look, “But Versailles – that’s my biggest dream. I want to take the event to The Palace of Versailles.”

7th Annual International Mothers’ Day Soirée Honorees