This year's Women of Style and Substance Fashion Show, benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, was held Monday at the St. Regis Atlanta. The event, emceed by Channel 2 Action News anchor Jovita Moore, was presented by Saks Fifth Avenue and featured a look at this fall's collection by Brunello Cucinelli. Ginny Brewer, Elizabeth Klump and Danielle Rollins served as co-chairs.
Ahead of time, we asked several of the attendees what they thought gives a woman style and substance.
"Confidence in their personal taste," answered Rebecca Bily.
"It all starts with confidence," agreed Tania Tompkins. "If you think you can do it, you will grow wings."
"The outward appearance of self-confidence," added Lovette Russell.
Honorees were Sam's Club president and CEO Rosalind Brewer, who serves on the Lockheed Martin board of directors and chairs the board of trustees at her alma mater, Spelman College; Helen Carlos, who has served on the board of numerous area organizations including the Marcus Autism Center and Open Hand; Patti Dickey of Dickey Broadcasting Company and Modern Luxury magazine, who serves on area boards including Make-a-Wish Georgia and the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition; Leslie McLeod, who is active with organizations including the Arthritis Foundation, Shepherd Center Auxiliary and Saint Joseph's Mercy Foundation; Cynthia Moreland, who founded the Morehouse College First Ladies Scholarship Fund, which benefits pre-med students; Beth Park, a board member of the Girl Talk mentoring program and an advisory board member at the Skyland Trail mental health treatment facility; Louise Sams, executive vice president and general counsel for Turner Broadcasting System and chair of the High Museum of Art board; and Caroline Tucker, a board member at the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential and the Carlos Museum.
As always, the luncheon's key highlight was the opportunity to hear from a family personally impacted by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Jennifer Verdecchia introduced her son Cruise, now 5, who was diagnosed with a rare cancer before his second birthday. Her family lives in Colorado, but they travel to Atlanta for Cruise's treatments.
“Every night I pray with the kids,” she said. “I start out by thanking God for letting us all be together. I know never to take this for granted. Each day, each moment, we get to choose our perspective. Find and focus on the good, no matter how small and simple it may be.”
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