Greater Austin YWCA Schedules 2nd Annual Fabulous People Party

SOUTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — As most residents would agree, Austin is a fabulous city (except for maybe the traffic) filled with fabulous people. What better way to celebrate than with a party honoring such fabulousness?

If you agree, you're in luck: The 2nd Annual Fabulous People Party staged by the Greater Austin YWCA is scheduled Sept. 13, honoring local leaders who "...have exemplified the YWCA mission to strengthen our communities and work together to eliminate racism and empower women," organizers wrote on the Facebook event page.

That's a pretty heady charge, but candidates (fabulous ones, naturally) abound locally willing to rise to the occasion. This is dramatically illustrated in the finalists for the #NewRadical Award to be honored during the party. The award recognizes a self-identified woman between 18 to 35 years of age and/or an up-and-coming diverse and innovative group of self-identified change-makers demonstrating passion and dedication in eliminating racism and promoting the empowerment of women "...by striving to make history through courage, connection and change," YWCA officials noted.

Yet the event won't be some low-key awards dinner gathering where people pausing to look up from their dry chicken dinners to politely applaud award winners. Oh no. This is a party in the true sense, a community celebration accentuated with a live performance by the Jane Ellen Bryant, named Austin Chronicle's Best New Band 2016-17.

And, more than likely, there will be dancing. Patch attended the inaugural event staged at the Spider House Café & Ballroom on Fruth Street last year, and is able to attest as to the party vibe. The music-filled event was suffused with fabulousness, with some tasty hors d'oeuvres and adjacent cash bar to boot.

Related story: YWCA Greater Austin Celebrates 110th Year Serving The Community

But back to those awards, which are at the core of the festivities. YWCA officials on Wednesday announced the finalists for the #NewRadical Award, a panel reflective of the diversity of important community causes. The finalists, with YWCA-provided descriptors, are:

Vanessa Fuentes

"Vanessa was raised to believe that education is the greatest equalizer. The daughter of a Mexican immigrant mother and Vietnam veteran father, she champions causes that empower Latinas to reach their full potential through education. She is a first-generation University of Texas at Austin college graduate. As advocacy strategist for the American Heart Association, Vanessa has mobilized hundreds of advocates throughout the Southwest of the United States to advocate for improved access to healthy food, demand quality health care, and reduce health disparities. She focuses on health equity in Austin because your ZIP code shouldn’t determine your health or how long you live. "

Vanessa Fuentes

Nina Rose Bailey

"Nina Rose Bailey is a native of Detroit, Mich., and has been in Austin for five years. Nina has her degrees in psychology and criminal justice, and over 10 years career experience working with under-served families and youth, specifically female youth. She previously worked at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, while also implementing her own program The R.O.S.E. Project (Recognizing Our Strength and Excellence). Combining her educational, career, and personal life experiences, Nina's goal is to provide a sharing environment where women and girls can connect and also gain knowledge to excel their sense of worthiness."

Nina Rose Bailey

Holly Kirby

"Holly Kirby is a queer, Filipina American, and a native Arkansan. She received her MS in social work from the University of Texas at Austin. Since 2013, Holly has worked on several successful campaigns, including blocking new private prison construction in McAllen, Texas, and passing Austin’s Fair Chance Hiring ordinance. She recently helped lead the fight to pass Austin’s Freedom City policy, which will make Austin a safer community for people of color and immigrants. As Criminal Justice Programs Director at Grassroots Leadership, she works to end criminalization and mass incarceration in Texas."

Holly Kirby

Lindsey K. Leaverton

"Lindsey K. Leaverton is an Austin-based wealth advisor and vice president with BB&T’s Wealth Division. A native Texan, Lindsey graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M University. Upon graduation, she spent five years as the executive director of a local non-profit while pursuing a nationally successful career as a professional touring recording artist and motivational speaker. Ready for a change from the arduous life of traveling, Lindsey’s passion for helping others through servant leadership led her into the financial services industry in 2010."

Lindsey K. Leaverton

PANTSUIT AUSTIN

"Pantsuit Austin was founded in 2016. Its mission is to connect, support, and activate people in Central Texas who believe in equality, justice and humanity. Our goal is to connect, educate and activate citizens who want to advocate, legislate, and litigate to bring about social change, improve public policy, and elect like-minded government representatives."

The 2nd Annual Fabulous People Party is scheduled Thursday, Sept. 13, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Gather Venue, 411 W. Monroe St. Tickets range from $50 to $100, with proceeds furthering the YWCA's ambitious community mission. For tickets, click here.

On Wednesday, Sept. 5, Angela-Jo Touza-Medina, the Executive Director of the Greater Austin YWCA, released additional details on the upcoming event:

"YWCA Greater Austin will be hosting its 2nd annual The Fabulous People Party on September 13, 2018 at Gather Venues. The event is a celebration to honor outstanding Austinites + Austin companies who have been key change makers working to strengthen the community through the advancement of women, civil rights and racial justice.

"The Fabulous People Party is not your typical fundraiser, it is a celebration. Thanks to the many local businesses sponsoring the event, including Presenting Sponsor, Dell Inc., along with Impact HUB Austin, Microsoft, HEB, Accounting for Change, Austin Capital Mortgage, InSync, and Knight Office Solutions - attendees will enjoy a special live performance by Jane Ellen Bryant, Winner of "Best New Band" and "Best Female Vocalist" at the Austin Music Awards in 2017. Attendees will also enjoy delicious bites from Paella, Tapas, and More, the official caterer of the Sounds from Spain event at SXSW.

"The time honored history of recognizing those that embody the YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women has been a hallmark of YWCA Greater Austin since its founding in 1907. “We believe in putting the spotlight on the people that have kept the fight to keep civil rights and social justice in the forefront of our priorities,” said Ángela-Jo Touza-Medina, YWCA Greater Austin Executive Director. “Our Fabulous People Party is less fundraising and more celebration. We aspire to engage, entertain, inspire and activate our guests. We want to offer them an opportunity to reflect on the roles all of us can play as we stand together with human dignity at the forefront.

"The following Fabulous People are finalists nominated in each category. The winner for each category will be announced on Thursday, September 13, 2018 during the event at Gather Venues. Doors open and festivities begin promptly at 6pm. Tickets are available at: https://ywcafpp18.eventbrite.com."

#NewRadical Finalists
● Vanessa Fuentes, American Heart Association
● Holly Kirby, Grassroots Leadership
● Lindsey K. Leaverton, BB&T
● Pantsuit Austin
● Nina Rose Bailey,The R.O.S.E Project

Ally Award Finalists
● Karl Nichols, E3 Alliance (E3)
● Ashton Cumberbatch, McGinnis Lochridge
● Kazique J. Prince, Courage Equity
● Omar Kadir, Accountant
● Eric Tang, University of Texas at Austin

Woman of Color Leading Change Finalists
● Dyana Limon-Mercado, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes (PPTV)
● Shubhada Saxena, South Asians' International Volunteer Association (SAIVA)
● Val Benavidez, Texas Freedom Network
● Raquel Valdez,BCL of Texas
● Terri Broussard Williams, American Heart Association
● Monica Maldonado Williams, The New Philanthropists and GivingCity Austin

2018 Legacy Award
● City of Austin Mayor Steve Adler

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>>> All images courtesy of Greater Austin YWCA