INSPIRED.Women at the Classic Woman Awards

 
This year’s Classic Woman Award recipients, courtesy of Traditional Home.

 

 

On Tuesday, Nov. 24^th I had the pleasure of attending the Traditional Home Classic Woman Awards luncheon, which honors women from around the country who have made a difference through volunteerism.  And what a perfect time of year to say thank you!  The audience was a who’s who of the interior design world, all of whom had watery eyes as soon as host Deborah Norville started describing this year’s honorees.

 

One of the six women honored was Susie Fredman, a designer from Chicago who was recognized for her efforts with Designs for Dignity, a charity she started in 2000.  Designs for Dignity provides pro bono design services to Chicago-area non-profits that serve those who suffer from poverty, violence, addiction and discrimination.  Susie and her volunteers believe “all human beings deserve to live and work within creative environments”…so true Susie!

 

Honoree Bess Wilfong started Angels' Arms, an organization that helps children in foster care stay with their siblings.  As you can imagine, we were all so moved when they played this video that our napkins were doubling as tissues.

 

Susan Cox from Austin, Texas started For the Love of Christi, an organization that offers support for people who have lost a loved one and are grieving.  Susan and her husband started this organization after their daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 1997.  This organization has served over 70,000 people in the past 22 years.  Wow, that’s impressive!

 

These are just three of the six honorees with inspiring stories, so as you can imagine by the end of the lunch I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. 

 

I was truly moved by these amazing women!  They lead by example, inspiring us to always find a way to give back to our communities, for it is in giving that we receive. In the words of Lily Tomlin, “I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that.  Then I realized I was somebody.”

 

For more information on these dynamic women and their charities check out the November issue of Traditional Home.

 

Ann Feldstein is the Senior Director of Marketing Communications for Kravet and Lee Jofa.