It was such a pleasure for Susan Farb Public Relations to handle the Houston public relations/media relations for the Houston Chapter of Hadassah 2010 “Women of Courage” luncheon. The honorees are always so deserving, but as it happens this year, I knew both honorees, so that made the event that much more special. Nancy Levicki, president and co-founder of Dress for Success Houston, is in the Women’s City Club business/social networking group with me. I’ve known Renee Suchowiecky through her work as an author and presenter at the JCC Jewish Book and Arts Fair, and as a former social columnist with the Jewish Herald-Voice newspaper. Renee’s first book, “Love Letters to Nicole,” is a journal of letters Renee wrote for the first two years following her daughter’s sudden death from cardiac disease on the lacrosse playing field at the age of 15.

Both women, as the theme of the Hadassah luncheon stated, are “Building a Better World. . . Right Here at Home” and have touched thousands of lives through their work. Dress for Success Houston is a nonprofit organization that provides interview suits, confidence boosts and career development to more than 3,200 women annually. Suchowiecky and her family established The NKS Foundation in honor of their 15-year-old daughter, Nicole, of blessed memory. The Foundation has financially aided high school students in their pursuit of higher education, purchased and distributed Automated External Defibrillators to Houston-area schools and public facilities; and currently pursues cardiac screenings for middle school students.

Susan Farb Public Relations fulfilled the Houston Chapter of Hadassah’s publicity goals for media coverage. There were feature TV interviews, “Great Day Houston” interview with honoree Renee Suchowiecky (KHOU-TV), KPRC-TV Saturday Morning News interview with Hadassah Greater Southwest Region Board President Barbara Shurberg, and KHOU-TV Sunday Evening News story on Renee Suchowiecky and the HEARTS program, as well as articles and photos in the Houston Chronicle,, Bellaire Examiner, Jewish Herald-Voice, Houston Lifestyles & Homes magazine, Houston Woman Magazine, as well as social media coverage on Facebook with more than doubled the number of Houston Chapter of Hadassah Facebook Fans from 77 to 164. . .and counting!

Event Co-Chairs Linda Tenenbown and Francine Beckman proudly presented Hadassah’s framed “Tikkun Olam” (“Repair the World”) works of art to Levicki, and Suchowiecky, before more than 350 admiring guests at the Westin Oaks Hotel.

Congrats to the entire Women of Courage committee and Hadassah, a 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nominee. Hadassah is the largest volunteer women’s organization in the U.S. with more than 300,000 members, including 3,400 in the Houston area. Hadassah promotes health awareness, medical miracles through its world-renowned hospitals in Israel, humanitarian relief, advocacy and youth programs. Local programs include the Breast Health Awareness Program serving the underserved and uninsured in the Greater Houston area and surrounding counties; support of Dress for Success Houston; domestic abuse education and prevention, women’s health education seminars, Let My People Read ® children’s book drive for Ben Taub Hospital; and Meals on Wheels. For further info, contact houstonadmin@HADASSAH.org or call 713-661-1022.