DALLAS, TX (September 27, 2022) Dallas-based family violence agency, The Family Place, held
its annual Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon on Friday, September 23, 2022, at the Omni
Dallas Hotel with keynote speaker, award-nominated actress Christina Ricci and honoring
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
The event kicked off with an intimate VIP Reception where guests mingled and took pictures
with Ricci. The luncheon got underway with an emotional moment when guests listened to
recreated calls received through The Family Place's 24-hour crisis hotline. The Family Place CEO,
Mimi Crume Sterling, welcomed guests and shared how The Family Place breaks down barriers
to ensure brighter futures for survivors of family violence. Host Andrea Lucia from CBS Channel
11 introduced the invocation from Rabbi Nancy Kasten with Faith Commons and Chaplin Carlos
R. Bell of Baylor Scott & White Health.
Co-chairs Jeannie Barsam of Gifting Brands, Stacee Johnson-Williams of Signet Jewelers, and
Lisa Sherrod of AT&T shared their personal connections to family violence, and thanked the
sponsors, donors, volunteers, and staff that helped to ensure a successful event with more than
550 guests in attendance. Each guest was given a “shoe card” at their place setting that lists the
signs of abuse and The Family Place’s contact information to share with anyone in need.
Since 1996, the Texas Trailblazer Awards have honored those who create positive change in the
community and is the largest educational event for The Family Place.
This year’s Texas Trailblazer Award was presented to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
The Congresswoman is serving her 15th term representing the 30th Congressional District of
Texas. She is the first African American female to chair the House Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology. She is also the highest-ranking Texan on the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee. In 2020, she introduced the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act,
which received bipartisan support, was signed into law, and created the recently introduced
9-8-8 hotline.
“Congresswoman Johnson leads by example, working tirelessly to help others and create
change at the local, state and national level,” Sterling said. “This year’s Texas Trailblazer goes
above and beyond the call of duty to make Texas and our United States a better place.”
The Congresswoman then took to the stage to a standing ovation. She thanked The Family
Place for this honor and for their work in serving North Texas families in times of need. The
Congresswoman will be retiring in January 2023.
Following the award, Ms. Patty Bryant-Jones, domestic violence survivor and a case manager at
The Family Place, shared her story via an inspiring and moving video of life after abuse, and
how she was able to create a brighter future for herself and her family because of The Family
Place. She shared that her current role is more than a job, but a passion. Her story reminded
guests of how important the mission of The Family Place is to families in North Texas, and that
there is a life after abuse.
After the video, attendees were invited to be a part of the solution to ending family violence by
Jones and Lucia, as guests were given a chance to make a donation to the Agency. When a
donation was made, guests were given a blinking ring to help light up the room. In addition,
guests were able to purchase raffle tickets in support of The Family Place. Raffle items included
a $1,000 gift certificate to Miron Crosby, a 2-night stay at any Omni property valued at $1,000,
a $400 gift certificate to Al Biernat’s, and $4,000 toward a Naturepedic mattress, 1 ct. solitaire
diamond earrings and a Bulova Latin Grammy watch both donated by Zales. All funds raised
during the luncheon will support prevention, intervention, restoration, and educational
programs for survivors of family violence.
Lucia then invited Ricci on stage for a conversation she discussed her decades-long
entertainment industry career, experiences, and personal hurdles. Ricci stressed the
importance of organizations like The Family Place in educating and supporting survivors of
domestic violence.
To conclude the afternoon, Lucia announced the 2023 Texas Trailblazer Awards date,
September 29, 2023, and announced next year’s event chairs, Lindsay Jacaman and Holly Krug.
The Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon was honored to have The Hollman Family Foundation,
AT&T, Baylor Scott & White Health, Mary Bowman Campbell, Mary Clare Finney, Bunny &
Harold Ginsburg/Vinette & Mike Montgomery, Gene & Jerry Jones Family Foundation, Carolyn
and David B. Miller, Pepsi Co/ Frito Lay, Texas Capital Bank, and Woodmont Cabinetry as this
year’s event sponsors. Sewell Automotive Co. served as this year's valet sponsor. PaperCity
served as this year’s media partner. The Family Place thanks all their sponsors and donors for
their generosity and devotion to the mission.
High-res images of the event are available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9c30kmg8gad4o9e/AADl-wki8MCSPojO8s8Sy1JJa?dl=0
Photography credit: Tamytha Cameron, Celeste Cass
ABOUT THE FAMILY PLACE:
The Family Place empowers survivors of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling,
and skills that create independence while building community engagement and advocating for
social change to stop family violence.
In 1978, a group of community volunteers organized The Family Place as one of the first family
violence shelters in the state. Today, The Family Place is the largest family violence service
provider in North Texas. A crisis hotline, 214-941-1991, is open 24-hours a day, every day. Three
emergency shelters provide 177 shelter beds each night, including the state’s only shelter for
men and children. We served 13,016 clients with 169,672 hours of service last year alone. Over
the past 44 years, we have counseled more than 216,500 clients, provided lifesaving shelter to
over 25,000 women, men, and children, and answered more than 615,000 calls for help. We
have helped more than 19,000 batterers learn how to change their abusive behavior and reach
approximately 6,500 students each year through our youth education programs. All of our
programs are offered in Spanish and English and all services are provided free of charge.
For more information on The Family Place, call 214-559-2170 or visit familyplace.org.