Summer Newsletter – 2026
President’s Letter
Dear members,
What a wonderful spring we enjoyed together! Our Spring Meeting was a great success, highlighted by an inspiring speaker who left us motivated for the months ahead.
Our Fashion Show at our new venue was another outstanding achievement, raising $86,600 to support our mission. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, participated, and attended.
Mary’s Day was especially meaningful, with the crowning of the Blessed Mother and a beautiful celebration that inspired us all. We were also proud to continue supporting the various organizations through our service and generosity.
As we look ahead, let us continue building on this momentum and making a difference in our community. Please reference the opportunities available in the newsletter.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." — Helen Keller
Wishing you a blessed and rewarding season ahead.
With gratitude,
Paula Shearer, President
In This ISSUE:
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73rd Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon
Nannette Mershon, Fashion Show Chair
Our 73rd Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon was one of the most successful events in Queen's Daughters history! Held for the first time at Triple Crown Pavilion, we welcomed a record-breaking crowd and raised more than $86,600 to support scholarships for students attending Catholic high schools in Louisville and many other charitable programs sponsored by the Queen's Daughters.
A Look at the Numbers
530 Guests — Nearly 100 more attendees than last year.
$33,500+ in Sponsorships — Thanks to the generosity of our corporate and community sponsors.
$29,635 Raised through our Raffle & Basket Bonanza — An increase of approximately $7,000 over 2025.
$25,000 in Cash Donations — Supporting the Queen's Daughters mission.
$8,400 in Parish Donations — Contributed by nearly 20 parishes, an increase of $550 from last year.
18 Patron Tables — Four more than last year's event.
$86,600+ Total Raised — Approximately $18,000 more than 2025.
Left: WAVE Sunrise News Anchor Shannon Cogan, who served as emcee, with celebrity runway models Former Miss America Heather French Henry and Miss Kentucky Ariana Dogriquez. Right: Donna Koenig and Mary Ann Dalton.
Top Left: Fashion Show Co-Chairs Joyce Jennings and Nannette Mershon. Top Right: Queen's Daughters members showing off their Derby hats. Bottom Left: Queen's Daughters members with celebrity runway model "Sneakin'" Deacon Greg Ditschier. Bottom Right: Former Bellarmine University Head Basketball Coach Scotty Davenport walks the runway with his daughter.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to Dillard's for once again providing the beautiful fashions featured on the runway. Guests loved this year's colorful collection, and we are incredibly grateful for Dillard's continued partnership and generous support of the Queen's Daughters mission. We encourage everyone to support Dillard's as a small way of saying thank you for all they do for our organization.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, volunteers, Fashion Show Committee, models, donors, parish supporters, and every guest who attended. Your generosity and dedication made this record-breaking event possible, and together we are changing lives through scholarships and charitable programs that serve our Louisville community.
Save The Date! Mark your calendars for our 74th Annual Fashion Show will be on Wednesday, April 14, 2027 at the Triple Crown Pavilion. Details will be coming throughout the year!
If you want to get involved with next year’s Fashion Show, please contact co-chairs, Nannette Mershon nannette.mershon@gmail.com or Joyce Jennings joycejennings18@gmail.com.
Want to See More Of Our 2026 Fashion Show?
View our complete Fashion Show recap to see additional photos, congratulate this year's raffle and basket winners, and recognize all of the wonderful sponsors who helped make this event possible.
A Special Gift for Our Nativity Student
Deidra Sanders, Nativity Academy Chair
I just want to give a shout out to our board members who contributed toward a $100 gift certificate for our Nativity student, Ti’Niya Cheatham. We wanted her to be able to buy something that she wore in the fashion show, and I was able to deliver it to her before the end of the school year.
Once again, it’s gratifying to see the work of the Queen’s Daughters in helping these young people get off to a good start in life. Hopefully this will bring her some excitement of getting to shop for something fun for summer!
Left: QD Nativity Academy chair, Deidra Sanders and Ti’Niya Cheatham. Right: Cheatham backstage at our 2026 Fashion Show
Golden Arrow Purse Sale
Anne Ratterman, Golden Arrow Chair
The purse, jewelry, and accessory sale will take place at Golden Arrow, 835 E Gray St., on July 11, 5–7 p.m. and July 12, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Any items you can donate would be much appreciated. You can contact Anne Ratterman at 502-702-3007. Anne will be glad to pick up what you have, or you can drop off your items at her home, 2062 Sherwood Ave., or at Golden Arrow, 835 E Gray St., Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.–noon.
There is also an opportunity to help at the event with set up during the day on July 11 and take down on July 12 after 2 p.m. They also need help at the event assisting customers during show hours and replacing merchandise. Contact Anne if you are able to help.
This is a great fundraiser and a fun opportunity to help by contributing donations or services! Finally, you can come and shop!
You’ll find great merchandise at great prices!
Mary’s Day
Cindy Huber, Mary’s Day Chair
Our annual Mary's Day celebration brought Queen's Daughters members and guests together at Holy Family Church to honor our patroness, the Blessed Mother. The day included the Rosary, Mass celebrated by Very Reverend Jeffrey Shooner, the traditional crowning of the Fatima Statue by President Paula Shearer, and the presentation of our 2026 Catholic High School Scholarships.
Following Mass, 162 members and guests enjoyed a luncheon at the Saffin Center while celebrating this year's scholarship recipients and the continued mission of the Queen's Daughters.
A big thank-you goes to co-chair Donna Koenig and the Mary’s Day Committee, who beautifully decorated the church and the Saffin Center.
Mary’s Day Scholarship Winners
Anne Sansbury, Scholarship Chair
At our Mary’s Day celebration, we honored our four 2026 Scholarship winners. We wish them great success as they embark on their high school careers, and they will be in our prayers.
Karen Diaz from St. Rita will be attending Presentation Academy.
Caroline Kemper from St. Aloysius Pewee Valley will be attending Assumption High School.
Jose Torres from St. Rita will be attending DeSales High School.
Corvion Reynolds from St. Nicholas Academy will be attending DeSales High School.
QD members Anne Sansbury (second from left) and Barbara Klump (far right) celebrate with scholarship recipients Karen Diaz (fourth from left) and Corvion Reynolds (second from right), along with their families.
Did You Know Our Newsletter Is Online?
Missed an issue? Looking for a past story or event recap? Every Queen's Daughters newsletter from the past year is available on our website. Whether you're catching up on recent events, revisiting your favorite stories, or learning more about our mission and community, our online newsletter archive is always just a click away.
Dates to Remember
FALL GENERAL MEETING: Mark your calendar for our first general meeting of the year to be held on Tuesday, September 8, at 5:00 p.m. at Audubon Country Club. More information to follow in our September newsletter.
MEET-AND-GREET: Also in September, the Membership Committee is planning a meet-and-greet; venue and date to be announced later.
FALL FUN FEST: Save the date for our Fall Fun Festival at Big Spring Country Club, to be held on Tuesday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature a soup-and-sandwich lunch and, back by popular demand, a bake sale. There will be two capital prizes and five raffles. Again this year, we are depending on your generosity for the donation of gift cards, in any amount starting at $25. So invite your friends to this fun event, and be sure to bring whatever game your group enjoys playing.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: The deadline for the September newsletter is July 24. Please send typed submissions to Linda Recktenwald, editoriii@twc.com, or call 502-243-1807 for further information. Thank you.
