A strong, effective, independent voice for all Texas children
A celebration of extraordinary young people
2013 HOUSTON AWARDS LUNCHEON
ABOUT CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND
The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) is a nonprofit child advocacy organization that has worked relentlessly
for 40 years to ensure a level playing field for all children. We champion policies and programs that lift
children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to healthcare, quality
education and a moral and spiritual foundation.
CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote,
lobby or speak for themselves. In Texas, our priorities include: child health, child poverty, education, youth
leadership development, and juvenile justice.
ABOUT THE BEAT THE ODDS® PROGRAM
The CDF Beat the Odds program raises awareness of the many challenges facing children in cities
across the nation, including in Texas. In addition to awarding college scholarships to youth who overcome
tremendous adversity to demonstrate academic success and leadership, proceeds of the event sustain
CDF’s continued work on behalf of all Texas children.
CDF–TEXAS ADVISORY BOARD
Lan Bentsen*
Mary Alice Cisneros
Dr. Isabella C.M. Cunningham
Theresa De La Haya
Susan Distefano
Dr. Howard Epps
B.J. Herz
Bishop Curtis J. Guillory
Glenda Kane
Kathryn M. Kase
Charles L. Kight
Melanie Lawson
Dr. Ben G. Raimer
Yvette Ramos
Gail Revis
Rebecca (Becky) M. Roberts
Regina Rogers
Dr. Peggy Smith
Charles D. Stokes
J. Michael Treviño,
CDF-Texas Chairman
*Member of CDF National Board
For information, contact us at (713) 664-4080
www.cdftexas.org • On Facebook and Twitter: @CDFTexas
TX-BTO_invitation (Houston)-7 x 5_2013-FINAL_Layout 1 4/26/13 5:49 PM Page 1
TX-BTO_invitation (Houston)-7 x 5_2013-FINAL_Layout 1 4/26/13 5:50 PM Page 2
HOST COMMITTEE
Philamena and Arthur Baird
Susan Bischoff
Ginger and Jack Blanton
Kellie and Eddy Blanton
The Hon. Lee P. and Francis Brown
Deborah Cannon
Gina and Jonathan Carroll
Greg Caudell
Maria and Cesar Cedillos
Dina Alsowayel and Anthony Chase
Morton Cohn
Rev. Marcus and Audrey Cosby
Susan Distefano
Juanita Elizondo
The Hon. Rodney Ellis
Diane Englet
Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein
Arvia and Jason Few
Ann and J. Kent Friedman
Cyndy Garza
The Hon. Bill and Diana Hobby
Lindsay Holstead
Courtney Hopson
Kathryn M. Kase
Aubrey and Gene Locke
Joan H. Lyons
Lisa Malosky
Jackie Martin
Kirby McCool
Ginni Mithoff
Beth Sanders and Jess Moore
Rita, Morris and Scott Atlas
Imogen “Immy” Papadopoulos
Dr. Charlotte J. Parker
Joy E. Partain
Regina Rogers
Willetta and Alvin Rucker
Sadie Rucker and Al Kashani
Yava and Milton Scott
Adelle and LeRoy B. Shaw
Ed Smith
Ileana and Michael Trevino
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Donna and Tony Vallone
The Hon. Craig Washington
The Hon. Bill and Andrea White
The Hon. Mark and Linda White
Donna and Neil Wilcox
Phyllis and Cornell Williams
Merele Yarborough
SPONSORS*
Graduate
Mrs. B.A. Bentsen and
the Bentsen Family
Seniors
The Friedman Foundation /
Ann and J. Kent Friedman /
Morton Cohn
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Juniors
Leslie Alexander and The Houston
Rockets
Memorial Hermann Health System
Sophomores
Maria and Cesar Cedillos
Fiesta
La Madeleine
Macy’s
Rita, Morris and Scott Atlas
Regina Rogers
Vivian L. Smith Foundation
TECH CORPS Texas
The University of Texas
Health Science Center (UT Health)
Freshmen
AMERIGROUP
CenterPoint Energy
Constellation Brands
Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro
The Kroger Company
Bill and Audrey Lawson
Melanie Lawson and John Guess
Margolis, Phipps & Wright
Foundation
Adelle and LeRoy B. Shaw
United Airlines
United Healthcare
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
The Matthew Wilcox Charitable
Foundation
Windsor Village United Methodist Church
Booster Club
Alexander’s Fine Portraits
Greg Caudell
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Duncan, Jr.
Dr. Howard Epps
Harriett and Jo Foster
Dr. Charlotte J. Parker
Judy and Chuck Stokes
The Hon. Bill and Andrea White
*as of print deadline
Children’s Defense Fund–Texas
with
EVENT CHAIRS
Diedra Fontaine and Licia Green-Ellis
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Melanie Lawson and Reverend William A. Lawson
Cordially invite you to join us in honoring
Five extraordinary young people at the
2013 Houston Beat the Odds® Awards Luncheon
featuring
LEGACY AWARD
Mrs. B.A. Bentsen and the Bentsen Family
2013 CHAMPIONS OF CHILDREN AWARD
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
PRESENTED BY
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Hilton Americas
1600 Lamar Street, Houston, Texas
Response card enclosed