Committee of 50 luncheon honors Southern women

Sally Price (L), SWC50 President with 2010 Women of Distinction Dr. Betsy Rogers, Patsy Riley, Lenora Pate and Event Chairman Mary Jo Hand.

The Southern Women’s Committee of Fifty had the opportunity in April to meet three of Alabama’s most outstanding Southern women at the 13^th–annual SWC50 Women of Distinction luncheon at The Club.

The almost $50,000 raised through ticket sales and donations from the 400 attendees benefited The Lovelady Center and the Birthday Wish Program of the Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parents Association.

Linda Bachus (LEFT), a past SWC50 honoree, and member Carol Hill.

Honored at the luncheon were Alabama’s First Lady Patsy Riley, distinguished attorney Lenora Pate and 2003 National Teacher of the Year Dr. Betsy Rogers. Each honoree talked about the importance of charitable giving and told stories of how their lives have been impacted through volunteer work.

The Birthday Wish Program was born out of a conversation Patsy Riley had with SWC50 members at this same luncheon eight years ago. In Jefferson and Shelby Counties, the program provides a gift card for every foster child on their birthday.

Members (L-R) Debbie Hawkins, Terri Gualano and Carol Bruser.

Also supported by the luncheon proceeds, The Lovelady Center seeks to reunite families of women leaving prison and motivate the women to become productive members of society.

Spotted at the SWC50 luncheon were Bobbie Knight, Cathy Staggs, Barbara Edwards, Blanche Montgomery, Brian Payne, John Lyda, Vikki Grodner, Jack Schaeffer and John, Rhonda and Leslie Cooper. Also seen were Jodi Newton, Diana McQueen, Dr. Gary Fenton, Sheriff Mike Hale, Dr. Toy Holland, Ellen Staner, Faye Walker, Debbie Morris, Irene Collins, Judge Nikki Still, Maria Kennedy, Nancy Dupree, Sheila Wells, Megan Kappel, Terri Sullivan, Della Fancher and Melissa Allphin.

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