Here’s How The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Celebrated The 100th Birthday Of The Late First Lady

A Celebration Of Reading Gala Event Raised $2.6 Million

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Priscilla Dickson, Jacob Power, and Michelle Watson

THE SCENE: Houston’s Hobby Center for the Performing Arts was the setting for a day of good reads, great fun, and a dazzling centennial celebration. Nearly 1,300 of Space City’s most notable literary minds, sociables, community leaders, and philanthropists turned out for A Celebration of Reading. Benefiting the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, the day was more special as the festivities coincided with the late First Lady’s 100^th Birthday.

THE VIBE: Before the evening’s festivities began, a cocktail-attire crowd began the day with an intimate VIP luncheon at the home of luncheon co-hosts Terry and John Havens. During the luncheon, patrons and top literary minds had the opportunity to mingle with this year’s featured authors, which served as a prelude to the fun festivities that were about to take place later in the day.

As guests arrived at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, there was a sense of warmth, love, and pageantry in the air as they gathered in the foyer for a cocktail reception. During the reception, old friends reunited, and new friends gathered, with many sharing their favorite tales and stories of the late First Lady and what they were looking to hear from the featured authors due to speak later in the evening.

In the crowd, one could also spot guests perusing a curated silent auction where they bid on an array of luxury items including a double-strand pearl necklace, a Broadway VIP Experience in New York, Houston Astros Tickets, and a chance to win a meet and greet with A Celebration of Reading featured author Nate Bargatze in his upcoming stand-up visit to Dallas. Additionally, several took the opportunity to win raffle tickets sponsored by Tenebaum Jewelers to win a suite of luxury jewelry, including an 18K White Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet, a Glashütte Original PanoReserve men’s luxury watch, and a $2,500 gift certificate to Tenenbaum Jewelers.

Guests then took their seats inside the Hobby Center for the main program. Partygoers were treated to a special stage set that served as a replica of a living room, which gave the space a level of intimacy that helped draw the large crowd together. The festivities were kicked off with a special recorded video message by former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, who shared heartwarming details and anecdotes during times they spent together. The video was followed by the Texas A&M Singing Cadets, who sang iconic American tunes including God Bless America and The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

After words from event leaders and a special toast celebrating the 100^th birthday of the late First Lady, the evening’s featured speakers took to the stage. The four authors on hand included H.W. Brands, Victoria Christopher Murray, Kelsey Grammer, and Nate Bargatze, who each shared about people and experiences that drew them into the world of books. Each of the authors then followed up with anecdotes and passages from recent literary works.

Once the program concluded, attendees were escorted to their tables spread across multiple levels of the Hobby Center for a seated multi-course dinner. City Kitchen Catering provided a scrumptious meal as guests enjoyed stimulating conversation about what they learned from each of the authors who spoke and their favorite memories of the late First Lady, capping off a fabulous evening of fun and fundraising.

THE NON-PROFIT: Maria and Neal Bush hosted the 2025 A Celebration of Reading. Over the course of the day, over $2.6 million was raised for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Proceeds raised from the event will go toward providing literacy programs to expand access to high-quality services that empower children, adults, and families with support to guide them on a path of learning how to read, write, and comprehend.