Funds raised support New Friends New Life in their efforts to enable sexually exploited women to start new lives for themselves and their children

            Dallas, Texas - April 25, 2011— Harriet Miers, chief legal counsel to President George W. Bush, addressed a crowd of 550 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas on April 15, at the 8^th Annual WINGS luncheon, benefitting New Friends New Life, a Dallas nonprofit organization that enables sexually exploited women to start new lives for themselves and their children. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott introduced Miers and gave an overview of scope and nature of human trafficking in Texas as well as the prevention task force’s legislative recommendations. 

            Miers has been a leader and trailblazer in women’s issues throughout her career. Before joining the White House staff, she served as the first female president of both the Dallas Bar Association and the Texas Bar Association. The National Law Journal named her one of the 50 Most Influential Lawyers in 1998. After leaving the White House in 2007, Miers rejoined the law firm of Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell as a partner in its litigation and public policy group.  Miers was joined by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is also chair of Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, a statewide effort to crack down on trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation.  He provided details from the 2011 task force report which includes recommendations for legislation that would amend current Texas law governing prosecution and punishment of human trafficking.
 

            “Harriet Miers and Attorney General Greg Abbott did an excellent job raising awareness of the issue of sexual exploitation of women and specifically what is being done in Texas,”  added Katie Pedigo, Executive Director, New Friends New Life.  “Without question, this luncheon is not only an important fundraiser, but also provides valuable information to our supporters as to why the work of New Friends New Life is needed now more than ever.”

Robin Bagwell and Kimberly Clifton served as luncheon co-chairs. Myrna Schlegel and her daughter, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, were honorary chairs.

 “Serving on the advisory board of NFNL has been a very rewarding experience for me, and my mother and I are so honored to be a part of this special event,” said Whitman.  “The luncheon is an important way to serve the women who benefit from the incredible work of the NFNL team. In the past, it has been a wonderful time of friendship and fellowship, and the amazing speakers have shared encouraging messages.”

Sponsors for the event include:

Presenting Sponsor: Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell/Harriet Miers.

Sponsor Party Sponsor :  Hunt Consolidated.

Kick-Off Party Sponsor :  Plains Capital Corporation.

Empress Sponsors  Nancy Ann Hunt, Ashlee Kleinert, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lawson.

Monarch Sponsors: Deanna and Gary Beauchamp, Toni Brinker, Ellen and John McStay, The Rowlings Foundation, Pat and Pete Schenkel, Peggy and Carl Sewell and Kim and Evan Wyly.

Emerging Sponsors ($2,500): Ruth Altshuler, Robin Bagwell/Jan Osborn, Bank of Texas, Kimberly and Brent Clifton, Gayle Dilliard, Vicky Gunning, Bev Heil, Bret and Katie Pedigo, Laura and Todd Robertson, The Schlegel Family, Harold Simmons Foundation, Kay and Kevin Thomason, Gail and Gerald Turner and Peggy Pepper Wilkinson.

Chrysalis Sponsors ($1,500)

The Amend Group

Caron Texas

Carol Crisp

Mary Dorflinger/Janet Stukalin

Susan Fish

Cammie Heflin

Pat Crowell Hodge

The Hoglund Foundation

Inwood National Bank

Junior League of Dallas

Pam and Jim Kirk

Katherine LaLonde

Madix Store Fixtures

Wendy and Boyd Messmann

Kay and Tom Neve

Deb Outlaw

Rena Pederson/Ann Simmons

Don Polan

Carolyn Pool and Richard Kiley

Chris and Joe Popolo

Caren Prothro

Joyce Shoop

Ron and Terry Unkefer

Michael Webster/The Beck Group

Joyce and Linus Wright