On Thursday, May 8, weathercasters tossed aside their jackets for the roll-up-your-sleeves look. The day was prepping to be a real newsmaker and it didn’t disappoint. The Zoo-To-Do organizers had already decided the day before to postpone their kick-off party at the Dallas Zoo. After all, it was to be an indoor/outdoor affair.
Still the Genesis Women’s Shelter luncheoners weren’t be to dissuaded. The teasing of Mother Nature of what was-to-come later in the day was irritating. A sprinkle here. A sprinkle there. Alas, no commitment to a downpour confronted the 21st Genesis Luncheon guests. The option of self-park or valet had many hesitating as they made their way through the Anatole complex.
Pat Conroy
That slo-mo arrival may have explained why the VIP photo opp with keynote speaker Pat Conroy was not too overwhelming. Just fine for Pat. He’s the kind of fella who does more than “grip and grin”. After having a photo with him, guests were thrilled to spend time chatting with the acclaimed author. Why, shoot! He’s a southern-born gentleman and must have the longest Christmas card list since Santa.
But eventually the hundreds and hundreds made their way into the Chantilly Ballroom, despite the late arrivals still showing up. Before taking her seat at her table, Nancy Rogers told Jan that there were still people trying to arrive, like Dallas First Lady Micki Rawlings, who was seated at Honorary Chair Lydia Novakov’s table.
But schedules had to be kept and the luncheon program had a number of items to fulfill.
Following propriety, the Master of Ceremonies welcomed the group and the Rev. Dr. Sheron Patterson gave one of her powerful invocation. For lunch, Chair Bunny Cotten came up with a delicious idea — a menu inspired by “The Pat Conroy Cookbook” including an appetizer (crab Louis), main course (pan friend chicken with Charleston grits, green beans, tomatoes and pearl onions with sweet potato biscuits and jalapeño cornbread muffins) and dessert (black pepper and pear tartin) was served.
Crayton Webb
Following lunch, Mary Kay’s Crayton Webb gave a rousing talk about domestic abuse and the HeRO (HE Respects Others) program. “We have to talk to our kids about healthy relationships. . . We know who they (the abusers) are. We have to look them in the eye and say this is not acceptable. . . . What is offensive is that we have to be here today. That domestic violence in our society in 2014 is still a predominant problem.”
There are only three qualifications to be in the HeRO program. You have to be male, pay $100 and have a background check. That last item got a laugh from the crowd.
In presenting the second annual HeRO Award to WFAA’s Dale Hansen, Crayton described Dale as a person “who isn’t afraid to offend anyone.”
The longtime sports anchor, who most recently made headlines about his stand on the NFL’s first openly gay player, accepted the award emotionally recalling his childhood memory of his father breaking his mother’s nose. In addition to the award, Dale receive a standing ovation.
Susan Wells Jenevein
Genesis Executive Director Susan Wells Jenevein then recognized “special guest” Dallas Police Officer Joshua Burns, who had been shot in February while responding to a domestic abuse report. She also praised the efforts of Corporate Heroes, organizations whose leadership “share our zero tolerance for domestic violence in the workplace.”
Susan then announced that the Jane Doe Award had been presented the night before to Jennifer Staubach Gates representing the City of Dallas Domestic Violence Task Force.
Jan Langbein
Then former Genesis Executive Director/current Shelter Ministries of Dallas CEO Jan Langbein gave a personal, heartfelt introduction for Pat. Of all the past Genesis speakers, she admitted that Pat held a very special place in her memory and heart.
Dale Hansen and Pat Conroy
And rightly so. The New York Times best-selling author, who looked like he and Dale had been separated at birth, talked about his childhood of witnessing domestic abuse time and time again thanks to his father. Even as an adult, Pat’s and his siblings’ suffering didn’t end.
There was his sister who at her father’s dying bed still regretted never having heard her father say he loved her. When Pat told her that there hadn’t been a day when their father hadn’t told Pat the he loved her, she nearly blew a gasket. Realizing that he had truly hit a nerve, Pat told her that he was kidding.
And then there was his youngest brother Tom’s suicide in 1994. It only seemed to be a continuation of the childhood violence and fear that haunted the family of the Great Santini.
For some it was hard to see this likable fellow acknowledge a childhood of pain that had taken a toll, but as Pat reminded them, there had been no Genesis for his family to turn to for help. All the more reason for the day’s lunch and the Genesis’s advocacy.