Power of Literacy Luncheon
The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation is thrilled to announce that iconic actor and New York Times bestselling author, Tom Selleck, will be the featured speaker at the tenth annual Power of Literacy Luncheon, hosted by the Ladies for Literacy Guild. This signature event, chaired by Betty Hrncir and Sidney Faust, will take place on Friday, October 24, at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. Proceeds from the luncheon will advance former First Lady Barbara Bush’s literacy legacy and support childhood literacy programs of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, as well as other community-based literacy organizations across our city.
Power of Literacy Luncheon Co-Chairs
Betty Hrncir & Sidney Faust
2025 Featured Speaker
Tom Selleck
Selleck is best known for his Emmy and Golden-Globe award winning portrayal of Thomas Magnum in TV’s longest-running series, Magnum, P.I. Most recently, he starred in the CBS hit Blue Bloods as New York City Police Commissioner, Frank Reagan for 14 seasons. He also served as Executive Producer on the series. Other television work for which Selleck is well-known include his supporting role on Friends and the acclaimed Jesse Stone TV-movie franchise.
His film work spans several decades and a variety of roles including Leonard Nimoy’s hugely popular comedy Three Men and a Baby.
With publisher Harper Collins, Selleck recently released his memoir, You Never Know, which details his remarkable rise to fame. The book was included on The New York Times bestseller list for several weeks following publication.
Born in 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, Tom Selleck was raised in Los Angeles, California. During his senior year at the University of Southern California, he was offered a contract with the 20th Century Fox New Talent Program and withdrew from classes to pursue acting full time.
As a U.S. Army veteran, Selleck served in the 160th Infantry Regiment of the California Army National Guard from 1967 to 1973 and has worked passionately on behalf of veterans through various organizations.
Selleck is an avid outdoorsman and resides in Southern California with his wife, actress Jillie Mack.
Title Sponsor
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ExxonMobil
Sidney Faust & Betty Hrncir
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Lilly Andress, Ann Bookout, Mary Lynn Marks, Vicki West
Deborah Dunkum
Lesha Elsenbrook & Denise Monteleone
Tena Faust & Courtney Hopson
Rhonda Graff
Stephanie Tsuru
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Susan Baker
Cathy Cleary
Sue Conway
Corient
Patricia Cornelius
Stick Delaup & Maureen Higdon
Bill & Suzi Doré
Alice Harcrow & Robin Klaes
Lisa Jakel & Jenny Joy
Laurie Lashier
Lit Ladies
Tama Lundquist & Alice Mosing
Cora Sue Mach
Susan Sarofim
Stavis Wealth Transfer Solutions
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Burguieres Family Foundation
Burns & McDonnell
Minnie & Ed Cappel
Comcast
Laurel & Mike D'Antoni
Dagmar Deason
Kim Dillard, Cathy Green, Melissa Patin
Dennis Dodgen & Sandra Payne
Friends Who Read Table 1
Friends Who Read Table 2
Diane Gendel, Mehrnaz Gill, Niloufar Molavi
Gail Garland
Patti Gillies & Vona Morefield
Kathy Goossen & Connie Wallace
Jan Griesenbeck, Jan Rhodes, Mary Sage
Becky Grogan
HCA Houston Healthcare West
Angela Hernandez & Susana Rosas
John P. McGovern Foundation
Legacy Community Health
Literacy Ladies
Brenda Love
April & Wells McGee
Memorial Hermann
Gina & Carolyn Saour
Danette Mozisek
Pearl Friends
Ruth J. Simmons
Diana Skerl
Dana Strake/Strake Foundation
Tornyos Table
University of Houston - ACES Institute
Susan Vincent
Bonnie Winograd
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Barbara Bush Literacy Lovers
Michelle Buchanan
Rebecca & Brian Duncan
Peggy Edwards & Candy Knudson
Rita Karbalai
Literacy Ladies Love Books
Melinda Landsness
Raquel Lewis, Jerre Williams & Friends
Rebecca Marcucci
Mary Ellen Prochazka
Sagora Senior Living
University of Houston - ACES Institute
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Martha Adger Madget
Margaret Alkek Williams
Nancy Ames
Cheryl Byington
Amy Chronis
Tammy Genovese Davis
Diane Englet
Julie Finck
Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor
Harris County Public Library Foundation
Leslie Hix
Leisa Holland-Nelson
Patti Kroll
Julie Little
Mary Hale Lovett McLean
Anne McClellan
Marsha Montemayor
Tenley E. Raj
Regina Rogers
Tharen Simpson
Rhonda Smith
Andrea Suarez
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KPMG
Phillips 66
Michael Simon Family & Friends
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Maggie Austin, Anne McClellan, Mary Sage
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Tenenbaum Jewelers
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H-E-B
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Patti Kroll
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Jamie Barrere & Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Power of Literacy Luncheon 2024:
Building Brighter Futures
Power of Literacy Luncheon Over the Years
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Storybook Gala
Join us for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's annual Storybook Gala hosted by the Young Professionals Group on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Union Station in Daikin Park. This year's gala promises to be an unforgettable evening inspired by the classic romance of Romeo and Juliet.
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A Celebration of Reading
This year’s A Celebration of Reading we celebrated Barbara Bush’s 100th birthday on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.