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Women of Words were honored at the 16th annual Women of Substance Luncheon on May 13. Chairs Barbara Gaiennie and Susan Glennon put on an elegant lunch to honor Times Picayune columnist Nell Nolan, business owner, civic leader and public speaker Dottie Reese and St. Charles Avenue magazine’s Bev Church.
The day began at 11 a.m. with a silent auction. Some of the items up for bid included a “Blue Brees” by George Rodrigue, sideline passes and two tickets to a Saints’ game and a $5,000 wine package from Brad Adams Charitable Foundation. Mike Morris provided entertainment and opened the event with the traditional singing of “Amazing Grace.” At 12:30 p.m. the lunch, provided by the Audubon Tea Room, began. As guests, including Mr. and Mrs. Jay Batt, Bryan Batt, Gayle Jones, Clerk of First City Court Ellen M. Hazeur, Sheriff Marlin Gusman, executive director of Grace House Michelle Gaiennie, CEO Buzzy Gaiennie and executive director of Bridge House Else Pedersen-Wasson dined, a fashion show featuring the clothes of Banana Republic took place while Mark Romig acted as emcee.
Money from the event goes directly to support the substance abuse treatment programs at Bridge House and Grace House. Bridge House has been serving the community for more than 50 years, and Grace House was founded in 1985.
