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"CONGRATULATIONS
to the 2018 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston." --Keith J. Davis, Sr. President & CEO, d-mars.com
H
ouston is home to some extraordinary women, and many of them were in attendance at the Sixth Annual Top 30 Influential Women Awards, hosted by d-mars.com. The two-day event included a VIP Reception, in which the honorees and icons were able to meet and mingle at The Houstonian Hotel. The second night was an evening of elegance as the honorees and icons were recognized at the Top 30 Influential Women Awards Gala, also at The Houstonian Hotel. This year’s award gala continued the tradition of the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee Community Achievement Award by honoring its 2018 recipient, Dr. Betty Adams, for her outstanding achievement and community impact. “d-mars.com is honored to recognize and celebrate these passionate, inspirational women in one of the largest and most diverse cities in the nation,”
President Mr. D-MARS said. “Thank for you for shining your light in Houston and leaving your mark on our community.” The gala included its annual special tribute song to all the women being honored, chosen by Mr. Keith “D-MARS” Davis called “One Woman: A Song for UN Women.” From careers in medicine and music, to politics and finance, this diverse group of honorees is the epitome of empowerment. “These women embody the spirit of community and serve as examples of the necessity of support,” COO Kimberly Floyd said. “I am proud to live among these influential women in the great city of Houston. Their accomplishments have gone above and beyond expectations.”
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Top 30 Influential Women of Houston - ICON Honorees
State Representative Dr. Alma A. Allen
Anna M. Babin
Cheryl D. Creuzot
Donna Sims Wilson
Merele Yarborough
Judge Clarease Yates
Karen McKemie
Thank you all for the most incredible last two evenings. It is difficult to express how humbling and inspirational these last two evenings were for me. To see the passion, professionalism and power of so many current and past honorees was beyond anything I have been a part of in my past. The amount of effort it must take to organize, prepare and execute this function is mind boggling – it was flawless and executed with such style and grace. I am so humbled and thankful to be a part of the class of 2018. I am so energized to work harder and smarter to make even more of a difference for women in my company and community. In the Automotive retail business, we always say our passion is to put people’s dreams in their driveways. You have made the dreams come true for so many women – and that is the dream of someone knowing and valuing what we do – and that it matters. Thank you for last night, for your organization and for your commitment to women. — Karen McKemie, Top 30 Honoree
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September 2018 | 21
Top 30 Influential Women of Houston
- THE HONORABLE SHELIA JACKSON LEE Community Achievement Award
DR. BETTY N. ADAMS "All of us are mentors. You're mentors right here and now. And one of the things I've always done throughout my life, I have always found that person, that group of people that I was going to reach my hand out and help bring them along with me." – Michelle Obama
Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Honorary Co-Chairs NEETA SANE • STEPHANIE NELLONS-PAIGE
Trustee, HCC District VII
Managing Director, Workforce and Business Opportunity, Texas Central
"To all the little girls who are watching, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams." —Hillary Clinton
Recognized among the 2018 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston has been the most phenomenal recognition I have received. In addition, as the selected Honoree for the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee Community Achievement Award commemorated the lovely creator and event by d-mars.com, a blessing for all times. —– Dr. Betty N. Adams, Top 30 Honoree
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HONOREES
Ann Harris Bennett
Gita P. Bolt
Vera Bumpers
Karla Cisneros
Helen Conte
Barbara Harris Curtis
Dannette K. Davis
Tiffany Massie Davis, MSN, RN
Gaynell Floyd Drexler
Melissa Edwards
Brenda Erickson
Tammy Faber
I just wanted to say thank you for all you do for the Top 30 Women honorees. The events on Thursday and Friday far exceeded anything that I had imagined. I felt honored, loved and appreciated. The event was first class and I will remember every moment for the rest of my life. It was an honor to get to be in the room with such amazing women and leaders of our city and nation. I have made new friendships that I think will last a lifetime. On top of it all I was able to meet our wonderful Mayor and Congresswoman Lee. Two great Champions for the Houston area. —– Tammy L. Faber, Top 30 Honoree
Staci Taylor Fullmighter
Mary Griffin
Arquella Hargrove
Debra Gatison Hatter, Esq
Marvalette Hunter
Grayle Tully James
Constance Jones
Eva L. Loredo
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September 2018 | 23
HONOREES
Jalene Mack, Esq
Maria Emee Mendoza-Nisnisan
Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell
Desrye M. Morgan
Marie Myers
Amber Newman
Dr. Dieu-Thoa Khoa Nguyen
LaToshia Norwood
Farrah Sabouni Oranje
Stacey M. Parker-Blake
Tiko Reynolds-Hausman
Michelle Riley-Brown
I can’t thank you enough for what you do. Thank you for selecting me to be a part of your event. I am grateful for the opportunity that you provided. I include Kim on this email because she plays a key role in your company and she is always so kind and great to work with. Your event was top notch. Thank you for all you do for the community. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart!
I just would like to thank you all for the wonderful events you hosted for all of us the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston. I really admire your commitment in honoring women, empowering them to empower other women. May the Almighty God bless you more for all the great things that you do. You have given me added strength and inspiration to do more.
—–Amber Newman, Top 30 Honoree
—–Maria Emee Mendoza-Nisnisan, Top 30 Honoree
Maribel Rodriguez
Sadie Rucker
Cindi Salas
Shawn Emerson Simmons, PhD
Hazel Smith
Heidi McDonald Smith
Maya P. Thornton
Joycelyn Williams
Nancy Yuill, PhD, RN
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2018 Top 30 Influenti
PRESENTED BY Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
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ial Women of Houston
Y D-MARS.COM Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication
26 | September 2018
GALA
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GALA
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28 | September 2018
VIP RECEPTION
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September 2018 | 29
TITLE SPONSORS
NOT PICTURED
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS I
L WELDING ACAD STRIA EMY NDU
“Integrity with Attitude” 713-672-WELD (9353)
daddycares.org
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Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication