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Grace House celebrated the empowerment of women everywhere with its 15th annual Women of Substance Luncheon on May 14 at the Audubon Tea Room. More than 300 people attended the event, which featured silent auction bidding at 11 a.m. and lunch at 12:30 p.m. The event also featured a fashion show, compliments of Banana Republic. Catherine Shreves and Walton Goldring chaired the luncheon, which also featured music from Mike Morris and the Tom Fitzpatrick Jazz Trio.
This year’s luncheon honored Women of the Renewal, including honorees Madeline West, Denise Thornton and Ruthie Frierson, inspiring examples to women in the treatment program who are becoming sober and self-sufficient.
The volunteer service award went to Marilyn McConnell and the alumna of the year award was presented to Emily Kingston.
The local nonprofit is the only long-term, residential substance abuse program in the Greater New Orleans area designed exclusively for women. Grace House, which treats women regardless of circumstance or ability to pay, assists the chemically dependent in achieving lifelong sobriety and eliminating homelessness, unemployment, illiteracy and other social welfare issues. Grace House celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
