Dear friends:
On Oct. 17, 2026, the Houston Public Library Foundation will host a gala celebration marking the centennial of the Julia Ideson Building.
Inspired by the Spanish Renaissance style of the building, the “Impossible Dream” gala will be themed on “Don Quixote.” The occasion will also see 12 Houstonians honored as the “Don Quixotes” of our own community, recognizing those who have charged headlong into their respective fields and have lived their lives in service of others.
The Don Quixote honorees are:
- Andrea Bajani, poet, novelist and 2025 Premio Strega winner
- Varsha Bajaj, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of “Roar” and “Thirst”
- Robert Eury, civic leader
- Dr. Julie Baker Finck, president and CEO of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation
- Guy Hagstette, senior vice president of parks and civic projects for the Kinder Foundation
- The Hon. Joanne King Herring, diplomat, entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Dr. Nicolas Kanellos, founding director of Arte Público Press and Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage
- Melanie Lawson, Emmy Award-winning journalist
- Alecia Lawyer, founder, artistic director and principal oboist of ROCO, Houston’s Chamber Orchestra
- Rich Levy, poet and retired executive director of Inprint
- Dr. Mari Carmen Ramírez, Wortham curator of Latin American art and director of the International Center for the Arts of the Americas at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Ignacio Torras, CEO of Tricon Energy and founder of the Genuine Cup
We are excited celebrate such extraordinary leaders of the Houston community! You can learn more at onecau.se/jib100
Along with our chair couple, Ambassador Eduardo & Mrs. Tere Aguirre, and our honorary chairs, Mrs. Minnette Boesel, Mrs. Phoebe Tudor, and Mrs. Cyvia Wolff, we look forward to welcoming you on October 17!
With best regards,
Nick Sawicki
Executive Director