Celebrating International Women’s Day
As we jump into Women’s History Month and prepare to celebrate International Women’s Day on Monday, March 8, we wanted to applaud and recognize ALL women for everything they have endured. So many women were forced to wear many additional hats this past year. From working and stay-at-home moms and teachers for managing multiple schedules and extra burdens this year to public office leadership and frontline workers – we celebrate you all. It was very difficult to narrow down this list of so many accomplished women. This year’s IWD2021 theme is #ChooseToChallenge. It’s no secret that we have had to challenge ourselves over the past year. We have discovered new levels of strength and perseverance that have changed us for the better. Here’s to all of the achievements we have made and women empowering women!
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo
As the youngest and first female judge in our nation’s 3rd largest county, Lina, a Colombian immigrant who was elected at just 27-years-old, is quickly becoming a role model to young women everywhere. Politics aside, now 30-year-old Judge Lina Hidalgo is making her presence known not only in Houston but across the country in a major way. She was recently listed by Time Magazine in the “Time100” 2021 list as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Her proactive and transparent leadership are guiding towards a better future, especially when faced with unprecedented floods, winter freeze, and widespread illness.
Native Houstonian Chloe Dao has represented Houston on the fashion scene since her international television debut on Season 2 of Project Runway in 2006. After overcoming the competition and ultimately winning the show, Dao returned back to Houston where she has continued to run Dao Chloe Dao Boutique for the past 20 years. Her careful attention to detail and expertise of fit, flow, and figures have made her one of Houston’s premier designers. She was also one of the first in our city to take an active role in creating and distributing Masks to as many women, including front line workers, as possible in the early days of the pandemic. She continues to work tirelessly in constantly improving on her now very fashionable approach to health safety for women and children. Additionally, Chloe continues gives back to the community that raised her through her support with Community Cloth, Crime Stoppers, and Houston Area Women’s Center as well as many others.
As Houston Chronicle’s Lifestyle and Culture Columnist, Joy Sewing is forging a path for open dialogue on a public scale with strength, style, and grace. In addition to her fulltime job, Joy is an accomplished children’s book author (Ava and the Prince), rescue mom to two adorable kids and pups, and leader of the non-profit Year of Joy to bring more joy into our world for children in underserved Houston communities. She embraces the raw realities of motherhood during the pandemic as she seeks joy with a contagious smile in life’s unexpected moments. Her hard work is certainly recognized in multiple ways, including her portrait projection on display at Discovery Green in Craig Walsh’s “Monuments.” We are proud of our fellow Houstonian.
Christina Milligan and Molly Voorhees
After being told so many times that no one would fill a 4-ounce bottle with surface cleaner, this team of working moms decided to take matters into their own hands. They created Cobalt this past November as a solution for staying clean and germ-free when soap and water are not available. Their creatively designed and playfully scented face mask sprays, “cootie-killing” sanitizers, surface cleaners, and on-the-go kits are worth sharing so we can all stay safely connected. Additionally, they are each running separate companies while developing, launching, and growing Cobalt. Milligan is a partner in Organized Design, a organization business and Houston’s version of The Home Edit, and Voorhees is president of Becks Prime and The Chocolate Bar. They have already accomplished a lot in the 4 short months in business and we are excited to see what’s next for these ladies.
Known for her partnership in co-founding DEFINE body + mind in Houston, Erin Stewart is launching a new workout project, focusing on overall wellbeing and nutrition eating to fuel your body. Savor + Sweat is the latest in efficient at-home workouts for every experience level with 15 minute “sizzlers” to 60 minute full-body bootcamps. The program is a culmination of its founder’s – fueling our bodies with delicious and nutritious foods while also training ourselves to stay healthy. Erin is encouraging us to take care of our bodies and we can’t thank her enough!
Lauren Levicki Courville, President Dress for Success Houston
A womens advocate through and through, Lauren’s commitment to our city and helping women achieve their personal and professional goals despite difficulties is the definition of empowerment. In growing Dress for Success as President, Lauren is expanding the opportunities for education, development, and confidence to ensure equal rights across Houston and to take DFS beyond, “just a suit”!
We simply cannot get enough of E’s fabulous new venture, The Fab Fête! If you’ve been following our recent gift guides, you have surely seen plenty of her decadent cheese-based soufflés. We are thrilled that Elizabeth was able to take a downturn in events and catering opportunities, and turn it into an incredible business sharing her famous soufflés for the past 30 years with clients across the country. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons! This hardworking mother of three girls believes that hard work, determination, and enjoyment are key in making a strong and lasting name for yourself.
Deborah has been a television host for KHOU Channel 11 news and the station’s popular Great Day Houston for the past 18 years. Growing up in a traveling military family yielded her the opportunity to “meet,” or interview, many people from different cultures and backgrounds all over the world. Her time spent in New York primed her for engaging with national audiences; however, this Emmy-award winning Texas native always wanted to return home, so she brought her national attention to Houston. Deborah’s dedication to our community is visible in her entertaining on-air interviews and many events where she has taken to the stage to add her vibrancy, humor and in some cases, vocal talents to many local fundraising events. She positively utilizes her platform to support others in Houston and is consistently a role model for all women.
A University of Texas graduate, Catherine spent 10 years with two well recognized Houston-based designers, Jane Moore and J. Randall Powers, before going out on her own and starting CBG Interiors in 2012. Catherine has been featured in numerous publications, such as Conde Nast’s Domino and Beautiful Southern Homes magazines, as well as being recognized as a “Star on the Rise” by PaperCity Magazine’s Design Awards in 2015. A mother of two, Catherine is paving the way for gorgeous and comfortable homes from new build projects to renovations and room refreshers.
Nancy Almodovar, President and CEO of Nan and Company Properties
Nancy started her luxury real estate venture from her kitchen table in 2014. Her hard work, vibrant personality, and dedication to the industry have helped her to thrive in one of the largest property markets in the country. Recognized as one of Houston’s “Top 48 Most Admired CEOs” by the Houston Business Journal and national winner of the “Enterprising Women of the Year” award by Enterprising Women Magazine, Nancy and her growing business are just getting started. Nancy and her family recently helped feed almost 1,400 Houstonians affected by Winter Storm Uri.
Chef Nicole Routhier, Le Colonial
We have to highlight the leading lady of one of our favorite restaurants, Chef, Partner, and Culinary Director Nicole Routhier of Le Colonial. Vietnamese native and award-winning cookbook author, Nicole gained unrivaled experience by traveling and cooking across Southeast Asia and Europe before settling in New York in 1986. She’s earned two (!!) Julia Child Awards for Best American Cookbook and Single Best Subject. With Le Colonial celebrating 5 years in August, we cannot see what the future holds for Nicole as she continues to educate about Vietnamese culture through cuisine.