16th ANNUAL RED SHOE LUNCH
The Red Shoe Lunch marked a powerful milestone this year, celebrating 16 years of sisterhood, service, and life-changing impact at its annual Red Shoe Lunch. What began as the founder, Tee Blount, inviting her friends for a casual lunch turned into a tradition.
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the 16th Annual Red Shoe Lunch filled a ballroom at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort to capacity, with nearly every guest—women and a few men—wearing a shade of red shoes. The color symbolized both celebration and urgency: a reminder that heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women.
All proceeds from the luncheon benefit the Veronica Blount Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with an annual contribution also made to the American Heart Association through the Veronica Blount Memorial Fund.
Donations support the foundation’s “Blood Pressure Monitor in Every Home” campaign, which provides monitors to underserved communities where access is limited but can be lifesaving. Funds also help connect these communities with healthcare providers and vital resources to combat diseases that disproportionately impact minorities — including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and colon cancer — by bringing education and services directly into neighborhoods, schools, churches, barbershops, salons, and community gatherings.
A highlight of the afternoon was an empowering panel discussion centered on wealth and health, featuring dynamic women leaders including Wendy Kindle Scurlark, Chasity Murphy, Aleece Aaron, Kardon Julie Zoller, Mona Lisa Chowdhury, and Kereen Henry. The conversation explored financial empowerment, wellness, legacy-building, and the importance of prioritizing both personal health and generational wealth. Their insights added depth and inspiration to the event’s mission-driven atmosphere.
The luncheon was hosted by Dr. Dave Montgomery, who delivered a powerful reminder that taking care of others begins with taking care of ourselves. He encouraged attendees to prioritize preventative care, urging everyone to schedule a stress test and echocardiogram as proactive steps toward protecting their heart health.
From heartfelt testimonials to impactful fundraising moments, the luncheon reflected the true spirit of sisterhood — women united by compassion, purpose, and a shared commitment to saving lives.
Sixteen years in, the mission remains clear: keep families close, keep hope alive, and continue building a legacy of love that quite literally saves lives.
