Broadway legends Sandra Joseph and Ron Bohmer will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Power of the Purse luncheon and fundraiser, to be held Thursday, April 23.
The former stars of “The Phantom of the Opera” will share their journey through stories and songs from their celebrated careers and personal lives on and off the stage. In a blend of inspiration and entertainment, the pair will offer insights on overcoming obstacles, letting go of limiting beliefs and embracing presence over perfection. Youth performers from Amarillo Little Theatre will join Joseph and Bohmer on stage for a special performance.
Over the years, the annual popular event has raised millions of dollars for scientific research, medical education and community programs through the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health.
“Investing in women’s health is an important way to make our community stronger and the research, education and outreach the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health invests in makes the Panhandle a better place for us all,” Meaghan Collier, Power of the Purse co-chair, said. “We are grateful for the continued support of this beloved tradition in the Panhandle and are inspired that our supporters believe so strongly in our work.”
In addition to the featured guest speakers, this year’s luncheon will include a purse auction and sale featuring new and gently used handbags, which are donated annually by local supporters, celebrities and businesses. Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase handbags from such luxury brands as Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and more, and all proceeds benefit the institute.
Table sponsorships for the event start at $2,000 and are now available for purchase online at https://one.bidpal.net/ttf2026lwbpurse/ticketing.
“Power of the Purse raises funds to support the mission of the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in Texas and across the nation,” Lorraine Wilhelm, Power of the Purse co-chair, said. “I am proud to be a part of this year’s event because I strongly believe in the initiatives the institute supports and the education it provides our community. I am passionate about the health and wellness of this region and am excited to help continue to grow our programs.”
Established in 2007, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health collaborates with TTUHSC institutes and schools to advance scientific research, provider education and community outreach. Over the past 16 years, proceeds from Power of the Purse have benefited such TTUHSC programs as the InfantRisk Center, SimCentral Simulation Center, the Breast Center of Excellence, Texas Tech Physicians Psychiatry, Texas Tech Physicians OB-GYN, the TTUHSC Human Sex Trafficking Symposium and scholarships for the TTUHSC School of Nursing.
For sponsorship information or assistance with table purchases, contact Angela Knapp Eggers at 806-414-9941 or angela.knapp@ttuhsc.edu.
Amy Griffin to speak at Day of the Woman
In addition, the TTUHSC Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health will be hosting its Day of the Woman event in February.
The event will take place 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza and will feature a fireside chat titled “Through the Telling, I Set Myself Free,” with Amy Griffin, New York Times best-selling author of “The Tell,” founder of G9 Ventures and Amarillo native.
The discussion will be moderated by Barbara Bush Coyne, a former first daughter who is now an author and activist.
Griffin, who grew up in Amarillo, went on to build a career and family in New York City. But, she was unknowingly running from a secret. A pivotal moment came when her daughter asked, “You’re here, but you’re not here … Where are you, Mom?” This exchange set Amy on a path to process a long-buried mystery within herself. In her book, Griffin navigates memory, identity and the pressures of perfectionism. It became a New York Times bestseller and was named an Oprah’s Book Club pick.
“‘The Tell’ reveals how truth-telling can spark connection, healing and a new understanding of our stories,” Angela Knapp Eggers, Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health senior director, said. “Day of the Woman honors powerful women and the stories they carry and share.”
Tickets to the event are $25. Tables of eight may be reserved for $250. Dinner is included. Registration is required and can be made online at https://bit.ly/4pHIxeT.
For more information, call 806-414-9941 or contact Ashley Forti at Ashley.Forti@ttuhsc.edu or Angela Knapp Eggers at Angela.Knapp@ttuhsc.edu.
Other community news
Faculty members from West Texas A&M University’s School of Music will unite for an annual showcase of their talents at the Faculty Grand Recital, set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus. Admission is free. Groups include the faculty brass quintet, woodwind quintet and jazz combo, along with individuals including Mila Abbasova, instructor of music theory and piano, and Muriel Cotman, organ; Dr. Rossitza Goza, the Dorothy and Don Patterson Professor of Violin; and Dr. Choong-ha Nam, professor of piano; and Dr. Sarah Rushing, assistant professor of piano, and Dr. Jeremy Lewis, professor of low brass. For information, call 806-651-2840.
FirstBank Southwest (FBSW) has announced the promotion of Cayla Maestas, CPA, to Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. A Texas Panhandle native, Maestas joined FirstBank Southwest in 2018, and was promoted to Controller in 2023. As CFO, she will oversee the bank’s financial strategy and stewardship as the organization continues to expand. “This promotion reflects both our growth and the depth of leadership within our organization,” said AndyMarshall, President and Chief Executive Officer. “As we prepare for the future, it’s important that we align our leadership structure to support where we’re headed. Cayla has the experience, expertise, and perspective to serve the bank well in this role.” The transition follows decades of financial leadership by Jerry Don Williams, who previously served as Chief Financial Officer and now continues in his role as Chief Operating Officer, as well as Director and Executive Vice President of FirstBank Southwest and its parent company, FirstPerryton Bancorp, Inc. Learn more on their social media or their website at www.fbsw.com.
McDonald’s has chosen Family Support Services as the next beneficiary of McDonald’s Gives Back Day, which will be Tuesday, Jan. 27. On that day, a portion of sales from participating McDonald’s locations in Amarillo, Canyon, Dumas, Dalhart, and Borger will go to benefit the regional non-profit, which empowers individuals and families through comprehensive advocacy, education, and intervention services. Those interested can visit the participating restaurants to give their support to the local nonprofit. ““For more than a century, Family Support Services has helped people throughout our community in crisis by providing a wide variety of services,” explains Stephanie Khayat, Marketing Director for McDonald’s. “By supporting this great organization, we are supporting our friends and neighbors across the region during times of crisis and family turmoil.”
The Don Harrington Discovery Center’s Free First Monday program (4:30 to 7 p.m) and Girls Who Science program (5-6:30 p.m.) will be held Feb. 2. February’s speaker topic will focus on electrical engineering, water conservation, and learning strategies with Vanessa Miles, an assistant professor at Amarillo College. Miles is a retired electrical engineer who spent 30 years in the national interest with Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico and Texas. She joined Amarillo College in 2019 and prepares her students to become lifelong learners with a heightened awareness of the required soft and technical skills to navigate their journey in engineering. Community members can learn more about this and other community events and programs at the Discovery Center Collective by visiting DHDC.org. The center is also looking to partner with community-minded businesses or organizations to financially support Free First Mondays; reach out to Sophia Britto via email at sbritto@dhdc.org.
In partnership with Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas, The Lucille and Leo Caiafa, Jr. Center for Advancement (outreach program of Sharing Hope Ministry) is offering a Free Basics Skills Computer Course for Women. The classes are on Friday afternoons, 1:30-3:30 p.m., and the next session begins Jan. 23. This 8-week course will cover computer basics, the Microsoft Suite applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, etc.), Google Drive applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc.) along with internet safety and much more. Any woman who completes the course will be eligible to apply for a refurbished laptop computer. Availability is dependent on supply and need demonstrated on application. Space is limited. To register, call Kim Lester at 806-670-3469. For more info, email cfa@sharinghopeministry.org .
This week’s Furry Friend is Xena. “Xena is very friendly and loves people. She is leash trained. Xena had puppies in the month of May, 2025 and was such a good momma to those babies. Now Xena is ready for a home of her very own. We hope you will come meet Xena. If you have other dogs you may either want to bring them along, or perhaps foster Xena for a week, to see if it’s a good match with your dog or dogs.” APSCA adoptions can be made at the shelter, 11901 S. Coulter, noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more info, call 806-622-0555, or visit www.amarillospcashelter.com or www.adoptapet.com. In addition, the shelter is seeking more volunteers, ages 18 or older, to give love and attention to their cats and dogs, from playtime to cuddles and walks.
The City of Amarillo Community Development Department has updated its hours of operation to Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The department is located in the Simms Municipal Building, 808 S. Buchanan St. Paperwork may be dropped off in the secure drop box located inside the building, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All Community Development programs are by appointment only, and an appointment is required to meet with a caseworker. To schedule one, call (806) 378-3098.
For a 12th year, Xcel Energy has been honored as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. The company ranked first in social responsibility and placed fourth overall among the most admired electric and gas companies in the country. Fortune magazine partnered with Korn Ferry to conduct the survey on corporate reputation, determining industry groupings by using the Fortune 1000 and the Global 500 listings. The complete list and methodology can be found on Fortune’s website.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is presenting several events and webinars in the coming weeks, including one Jan. 29 by the Texas Conservation and Sustainability Initiative to help Texas farmers, ranchers and forest landowners learn about available conservation incentives, eligible practices for funding and market opportunities; “Pond 365: Timing of Pond Practices” on Feb. 17. Learn more on their website. The Southwest Cotton Physiology Conference will be held Feb. 10-12 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock, 1102 E. Farm-to-Market Road 1294. The event is hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife, Kansas State University and Oklahoma State University. The fee is $20, and registration is available online.
The Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is hosting a series of student receptions across Texas as part of its annual AGLS on Tour program, bringing the College directly to prospective and admitted students and their families. The come-and-go receptions will take place in six cities across the state, providing students interested in agriculture and life sciences the opportunity to meet faculty, staff and current students while learning more about academic programs, campus life and career preparation in the college. They will be in Amarillo March 1 from 2 to 4 p.m., with the location to be announced.
Amarillo Fire Department Battalion Chief Lance Vinson has been elected Chairman of the Fire Department Safety Officer Association, an organization dedicated to firefighter safety across all disciplines of the fire service. “We are extremely proud of Battalion Chief Vinson for representing the Amarillo Fire Department and for stepping forward to serve firefighters across the country with the shared goal of making the fire service safer for everyone,” AFD said in a post on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Broadway stars headline 2026 Power of the Purse event
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
