Photo credit: Kim Leeson for Texas Women’s Foundation
Texas Women’s Foundation raced to raise funds to support women and girls on its 37th anniversaryth The annual luncheon on October 6th at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. This Transforming Texas-themed event will Allyson Felixthe most awarded American track and field Olympian of all time.
The annual luncheon is the foundation’s major fundraiser that supports the foundation’s work to promote women’s economic security, leadership, education, health and safety in Texas through research, advocacy, programs, and grants. activity.
of Award Winning Garland High School Step Team Energetic routines and chants excited the participants and gave them a lot of applause.
Photo credit: Kim Leeson for Texas Women’s Foundation
Hilda GalvanTexas Women’s Foundation President, said, “Thank you to the Step Team at Garland ISD. Your performance is encouraging us to step up and take steps to transform our communities for women and girls.” increase.”
TXWF Board Member and Business Leader, Laura Nieto When Rachel Vinson, co-chaired the luncheon. Nieto said, “Like Hilda, we are also cheered up and ready to make our mark in this race!”
“By being here today, you are joining the race to advocate for policies and practices that support underresourced women and families across the state,” Vinson said.
Leisha WardExecutive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer of Target, introduced in video Catherine Helm, Target Corporation’s Dallas area team leader. Helm introduced Allyson Felix. “Allison fights inequality by leading initiatives that advocate for maternal policy, access to education, and supporting the next generation of mothers and athletes.”
Photo credit: Kim Leeson for Texas Women’s Foundation
Helm introduces Felix as a five-time Olympian, 27-time Olympic and World Champion global medalist, entrepreneur, co-founder of Saysh, mother and wife .Introducing the moderator Sint Marshall, President and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks and a board member of TXWF. The Dallas Mavericks also sponsored the luncheon. Marshall just wrote a book titled You’ve Been Chosen: Thriving Through the Unexpected, a memoir that offers hope and practical guidance for navigating through the toughest challenges of his life. Each participant was given a book.
Marshall and Felix had a conversation sharing their love of athletics (both track and field), sports, motherhood, role models, and change.
Here are some tips from Felix.
Photo credit: Kim Leeson for Texas Women’s Foundation
She is a basketball player and decided to try her hand at track. She found her friend and she said: It turns out that she likes to win.”
About Saishu:
Felix split up when Nike (the shoe line) asked for a 70% pay cut because she was pregnant and Nike didn’t want to help protect her mother. At that point, she realized she didn’t have a footwear sponsor. Her brother said, “What if we did this ourselves? Here’s an opportunity to create Saysh, shoes designed by women, for women.”
Photo credit: Kim Leeson for Texas Women’s Foundation
About childcare:
“I’ve seen co-workers who are moms struggle with parenting.” She started competing again when her daughter was eight months old. “We provided free childcare at the national convention.”
Where she gets her inspiration:
“It comes from women like you[Cynt]. You really set the tone. We’re seeing strong women take on leadership roles.”
Advice for the 200 teens in the live stream room next door:
“You think you need a massive platform, but you don’t. Start where you are. Know your worth, know your worth.”
Marshall added: Never lose your priority. Thank you Alison. Keep that fine spirit. ”
Texas Women’s Foundation played a video Miki Woodard, president and CEO of the Texas Women’s Foundation. “One of my favorite quotes from Alison is, ‘If you see me running, know that I’m not running for a medal. I’m running for a change.’ I run for equality for each of us, I run for women, and most of all, I run for women and girls to know where they are. I’m running towards a future that doesn’t exist.
As Woodard spoke about the future, he shared a photo of more than 200 students next door experiencing the luncheon program. Students hail from Young Women’s Preparatory Network, Sunset P-TECH, Early College High School – Carrollton, and Woodrow Wilson High School (Women’s National Track Team).
Photo credit: Kim Leeson for Texas Women’s Foundation
Woodard invited the co-chairs onto the stage while Nieto and Vinson put on their tennis shoes and continued to race! We have to run. Let’s cross this finish line together. Thank you.”
