On a beautiful, sunny day at the Houston Polo Club, approximately 100 special guests arrived to see two of Houston's special mothers become the first honorees at the inaugural Motherhood: The Lifetime Achievement Awards Luncheon benefitting Houston Can! Academy's Pregnancy Related Services (PRS) program.

Dr. Yamile Jackson, President and CEO of Zakeez, and The Honorable Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, were the two wonderful women selected for their commitment to community service, while keeping their privilege of being a mother as a priority.

During the five month hospitalization of her son, Dr. Jackson made a pact with God: 'If you let me go home with Zachary, I will help babies.' Today, she is doing that as inventor of 'The Zaky', a device that she designed to simulate her hand to provide comfort, sense of security and support to her premature baby in 2001. The story of The Zaky has been featured in many news programs nationwide, and is used in hospitals globally.

The Honorable Carole Keeton Strayhorn will proudly tell anyone her four grown sons are her greatest accomplishment, and her five young granddaughters are her greatest joy. Often called a trailblazer, Strayhorn has a resume full of 'first' -- From becoming the first woman in history elected Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and first woman mayor of Austin, to first woman in history elected Texas Railroad Commissioner.

To make the day even more special, a student from each Houston Can! campus was given a $500 scholarship. Senior and mother of two, Norma Alcarez was the recipient. She plans on attending college in the Houston area. Senior Tiffany Radford was the other recipient who has been accepted to Spelman College in Atlanta.

To see more photos of the luncheon, please click the Photo Gallery link below.