Nearly 180 people filled The Treasury 1929 last month for TMM Family Services’ second annual runway show, more than double last year’s attendance.

TMM Family Services provides affordable housing and programs for seniors, veterans and families in crisis, with a focus on mothers and children working to get back on their feet. Its Runway to Resilience event, held Oct. 21, aims to promote womanhood, community and help for people in need through a panel discussion, with proceeds supporting that work.

Tickets cost $100, and sponsorships ranged from $1,000 to $10,000. Cool Willies and Trinity Diamonds were the presenting sponsors, and True Me Inspire Boutique presented the fashion show.

Across the tables in the grand hall at The Treasury 1929, white and cream floral arrangements were dimly lit by warm floor lights.

Above the guests, a twinkling chandelier hung close enough to the second floor that patrons could almost touch it if they leaned past the railing.

Attendees greeted each other before the event, hugging old friends and meeting new people, including Veronica Norzagary, founder of True Me Inspire Boutique on the northwest side.

“The women who do this are all very powerful, beautiful women who all support their community,” she said. “True Me Inspire is all about supporting women and anything within the community.”

The program began with gratitude for the attendance, venue and numerous sponsorships as the first course of dinner arrived.

As the second course began, four women in different leadership roles headed to the podium. The stories of Vanecia Kerr, Calline Sanchez, Natalie Fernandez and Heather Thompson all had something in common: resilience.

“I used to think resilience meant being strong all the time, figuring everything out on my own,” said Thompson, a caregiver and single mother of four. “Now I know it also means being brave enough to ask for help and keep going when you don’t know how things will work out.”

The women answered questions and shared stories about the hardships they’d faced in their different walks of life, while also offering hope.

“I need to be the person to encourage myself and to move forward to accomplish the kind of things that I know are going to best serve the people in my community,” said Kerr, president and CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. “And that would allow me to be the person that can be an example for other people.”

As the last of the dessert plates were cleared, the speakers finished their thoughts.

“This is one organization that’s here to help people once they have figured out ‘I can do something different than what’s currently happening within my life,’” Kerr said.

Beyond housing, TMM offers workforce development courses and community connections that help mothers reach independence. It also runs a ReStore and a Community Closet.

Attention turned to the back of the room as the event’s emcees returned. Emcee Krystal Pino smiled at a leopard-print cocktail dress.

“That is a girl’s night out waiting to happen,” she said.

The show had three themes, with all of the clothing from True Me Inspire. The themes were Business Chic, Cocktail Attire and Gala Elegance, and the models exuded professionalism and confidence as they strutted down the center of the event hall.

As they passed each other in the middle, many of them shared sweet moments, briefly holding each other’s arms or laughing and posing together. They all looked happy to be part of the show.

The night ended with the raffle and auction. Winners took home shopping spree gift cards, self-care bundles and a set of diamond earrings from Trinity Diamonds.

More information about TMM Family Services is available at tmmfs.org.

Lily Cottam is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and intern at Tucson Spotlight.

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