Who We Are

VICTORY Houston, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and initiatives in the Greater Houston area. We are a 100%-volunteer group of women; we have no office nor employees.

Since 1987, the Ladies of VICTORY have been dedicated to eradicating cancer; raising funds through galas, golf tournaments, and shopping card events for a national non-profit, and contributing more than $63 million to help fight and find a cure for cancer. In 2022, VICTORY Houston, Inc. became a stand-alone, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission “FIGHTING CANCER – FUNDING LOCALLY” to ensure funds remain in the Greater Houston area to support cancer research and initiatives. In the last three years, we have raised an additional $4.8 million, bringing the total raised by the Ladies of VICTORY to $67.8 million.

Photo: Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design

Our Funding Focus

We fund cancer-related initiatives that include research and discovery, patient services, and access for underserved or underinsured populations that focus on all types of cancer.

Who We Fund

We fund 501(c)(3) organizations and accredited institutions of higher education in the Greater Houston area whose initiatives benefit the people who live in our communities.

History of VICTORY Houston, Inc.

The late Darrel Dacus founded VICTORY in 1987.  He, along with ninety-one female volunteer founding members, created the organization dedicated to eradicating cancer, with a three-year goal of establishing a Ball as a successful annual event for a national non-profit.

In 1988, VICTORY began with a “Founders Party” to gain experience and promote community acceptance in preparation for the first Ball.  The Founder’s Party enabled VICTORY to present $147,000 to the national non-profit to help find a cure for cancer. VICTORY’s first Ball was held on May 20, 1989.  More than 1,200 guests attended the lively event at Louis Pearce Ranch, which generated record net proceeds for the national non-profit for a first-time event.

• 1990 brought The George Ranch into VICTORY’s storied history, providing a unique unforgettable experience for our second ball and continuing over the next 31 years. The 1990 Ball achieved the goal set forth by the original founding members.
• On April 26, 1997, the dream of raising a million dollars to help find a cure for cancer became a reality.
• In 1998, VICTORY introduced two new fundraising events to supplement the proceeds from our annual Ball. VICTORY launched a shopping card event in collaboration with Partners in Courage. The second event, the Golf Classic, was created, and brought in additional funding.
• For the April 2022 Ball, the location was moved from George Ranch to downtown Houston and was held at Minute Maid Park.
• VICTORY continued to hold the Golf Classic event until 2005, its annual shopping event until October 2021 and its annual Ball until April 2022 raising over $63 million dollars for a national non-profit.

In 2022, VICTORY Houston, Inc. became a stand-alone, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission “FIGHTING CANCER – FUNDING LOCALLY” to ensure funds remain in the Greater Houston area to support cancer research and initiatives. We held our inaugural VICTORY Rally Ball in April 2023 which was held at 713 Music Hall at the POST. Over the last three years, VICTORY Houston, Inc. has raised an additional $4.8 million through our annual VICTORY Ball, bringing the total raised since 1987 by the Ladies of VICTORY to $67.8 million to help fight cancer.

We have no office, nor employees.

Cissy Abel
Jennifer Barron
Mary Ann Baxter
Betty Beathard
Emily Beaudoin
Kathy Bennett
Anne Bike
Krista Borstell
Diane Watson Cain
Michelle Cash
Renee Clapp
Elaine Balagia Croucher
Dee Darby
Sulyn Dillon
Betty DuBose
Price DuBose
Joan Dunlap

Pam Erwin
Bebe Falik
Aoife French
Jennifer Friedmann
Elizabeth Fulghum
Mary Fusillo
Lynn Glazer
Susie Gold
Evie Grubb
Sharon Hawkins
Melissa Hobbs
Kelly Hogan
Rebecca Hoffman
Allison Jensen
Pam Jones
Keeli Lee
Denise Leisten

Ange Mertens
Kathryn Noser
Ashley Plaeger
Susan Ryan
Jessica Sprague
Lelia Sprague
Elizabeth Stein
Laura Stein
Cynthia Urquhart
Suzanne Vaughn
Lizeth Delagarza Watkins
Briana Weideman
Jerre’ Williams
Edith Wittig van Wageningen
Kelsey Wright
Jan Young
Jess Younger

2025 – 2026 Karen Peltz
2024 – 2025 Diane Watson Cain
2023 – 2024 Kelsey Wright
2022 – 2023 Joni Ballis
2021 – 2022 Diane Johnson
2020 – 2021 Denise Leisten
2019 – 2020 Bebe Falik
2018 – 2019 Jerre’ Williams
2017 – 2018 Jo Lynelle Farina
2016 – 2017 Betty DuBose
2015 – 2016 Gigi Harbison
2014 – 2015 Dee Darby
2013 – 2014 Elizabeth Stein
2012 – 2013 Pam Jones

2011 – 2012 Kim Irwin
2010 – 2011 Laura Hand
2009 – 2010 Susie Bender
2008 – 2009 Diane Watson Cain
2007 – 2008 Joan Dunlap
2006 – 2007 Dolores Powell
2005 – 2006 JoAnn Petersen
2004 – 2005 Sandy O’Connor
2003 – 2004 Lynn Glazer
2002 – 2003 Pam Erwin
2001 – 2002 Karen Tellepsen
2000 – 2001 Judi Johnson
1999 – 2000 Cynthia Urquhart
1998 – 1999 Sandy Bryan

1997 – 1998 Jessica Younger
1996 – 1997 Lindy Hill
1995 – 1996 Karen Royce
1994 – 1995 Maggi Suttles
1993 – 1994 Anne Muntz
1992 – 1993 Barbara Kraft
1991 – 1992 Gwen Francis
1990 – 1991 Gwen Francis and Marsha Parker
1989 – 1990 Darrell Dacus and Linda Hunsaker
1988 – 1989 Darrell Dacus and Linda Hunsaker
1987 – 1988 Darrell Dacus and Eileen Moody