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Ann Richards School Birthday Bash at Mayfield Park home
The birthday bash for the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders occupies a bright particular spot on the social calendar. In 2008, it bloomed at the home of late business and political leader Lowell Lebermann. The next year, it jagged around the Enfield corner to the modern spread of Chris Mattsson, formerly home to Deborah Green.
Chula Reynolds and Alfre Woodard
Tuesday, the bash landed at Green’s new art shrine across the muddy slough from Mayfield Park. Green shares the contemplative outpost with Clayton Aynesworth and they first opened it for a fairly wild Women & Their Work party last season. This school party was more genteel than W&TW fandango, as chef Quincy Erickson put together a bounty of treats that included a heaping table of cupcakes.
Coach Jody Conradt with Laura Herrera, Monica Herrera and Candice Janecka
The bonus for this annual bash is the evolving assembly of Austin’s best and brightest women, plus some men. Among the celebs on hand: Former Longhorns Coach Jody Conradt (looking cool and rested), Dr. Nona Niland, political trailblazer Cathy Bonner, always classy Nancy Scanlan, humanitarian Mary Margaret Farabee, word-smith Brenda Thompson, foundation head and Bouldin neighbor Michelle Krejci, Austin school superintendents Meria Carstarphen (present) and Pat Forgione (past), UT Dean of Natural Sciences Mary Ann Rankin, enterprising Katy Hackerman, Judge Elisabeth Earle, Justice Bea Ann Smith (who told me an amusing story about late Gov. Ann Richards’ appointment vetting team), Johnson family rep Catherine Robb, arts leaders Joyce Christian and Rudy Green, Glossy 8 fashion plate Nina Seely, Rep. Elliott Naishtat (who told me a funny story about former Speaker of the House Gibb Lewis), and Habitat for Humanity’s Michael Willard.
Deborah Green, Dean Mary Ann Rankin and Bev Vandegrift
Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard made an inspirational keynote speaker and raised bucks with an improvised live auction that included a walk-on role on her current USA channel show, “Memphis Beat.” (I believe Deborah Green snapped it up.) Woodward (“Cross Creek,” “Homicide,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Hill Street Blues,” etc.) is the kind of practiced spellbinder who had all the students — and guests — hanging on her every word.
Justice Bea Ann Smith and Michael Willard
I also finally met one of Austin’s movers and shakers who likes to stay in the background: Chula Reynolds from the King Ranch family. Perhaps because she is not often in Austin, or maybe because she really does avoid the limelight, but I’ve missed getting to know this friend of Richards who has been identified frequently as the crucial ingredient in certain Austin social transformations. Aptly, she received the first annual Chula Reynolds Award from the school (and she looked surprised!).
Shawn Morris and Judge Elisabeth Earle
Perhaps because there were so many sharpies at the bash, I lingered longer than intended. Glad I did.
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