Each year, the most influential and progressive females of New Orleans gather to acknowledge the accomplishments of their peers at the New Orleans Magazine’s “Top Female Achievers Luncheon.” This year’s event, held at the W Hotel, included a keynote address by the early childhood education activist and member of the politically influential Landrieu family of New Orleans, Phylllis Landrieu. Landrieu is the co-founder and CEO of Childhood and Family Learning Foundation, an organization that aims to curtail the learning deficits young children experience as a result of health problems and poor-quality school environments. She is also credited as one of the founding developers of the Mahalia Jackson Early Education Center. During her empowering speech that addressed the role of women in politics, Landrieu emphasized the importance for women in the political sphere to make a place for themselves and be confident in the message they want to communicate.
This year’s Top Female Achievers included: Carol Bebelle, Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin, Gayle Benson, Maria Teresa Blanco, Nancy Cassagne, Sister Carla Dolce, O.S.U., Janet Daley Duval, Betsie Gambel, Patricia Gay, Susan Larson, Dr. Nghana Lewis, Diane B. Lyons, Carol Rausch, Lauren Thom and Beth Arroyo Utterback.
Thibodaux Regional and the W Hotel graciously sponsored this year’s event. Guests enjoyed a lunch of gathered baby mesclun greens with spiced pecans topped with Maytag blue cheese and minted cucumber vinaigrette. The main course consisted of a tender pan roasted breast of chicken. The flowers adorned on each table were provided by Grow with Us Florist.
The luncheon was a major success, boasting the largest attendance in the history of the event. All proceeds will benefit Grace House.
Event at a Glance
What: New Orleans Magazine’s “Top Female Achievers Luncheon,” benefiting Grace House
When: Wednesday, July 10
Where: W Hotel New Orleans