Local businesswoman Abby Arauz-Chase will be the keynote speaker for the annual Zonta Club of Jefferson City's Yellow Rose Luncheon in May.
As the third-generation owner of her family's wholesale feather business, Zucker Feathers, Arauz-Chase epitomizes the prestigious event's 2016 theme: "Celebrating Generations."
Arauz-Chase is an active part of the retail operation, with her brother, Anthony Arauz, and their mother, Donna Arauz.
Once a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall, she worked with New York fashion houses and Broadway shows to supply feathers for their designs.
Zucker Feathers, founded by her grandparents, is the leading U.S. supplier of feathers to the domestic and international wholesale and retail markets, including craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann Fabric. Feather sources include peacock, ostrich, pheasant, turkey, chicken, duck, goose and guinea.
The California business also supplies feathers for show-business costumes, such as Beyonce's latest tour, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in "The Hunger Games," "Maleficent" starring Angelina Jolie and the Victoria's Secret angels.
Arauz-Chase said she was surprised to be asked to speak and has been excited to learn more about the work of the local Zonta Chapter, including the Second Chance Scholarships, for which the luncheon raises funds.
After growing up in the family business, counting feathers by the hundred as a child and taking family vacations to sales events, Arauz-Chase said she did not see herself returning to her hometown once she left.
Six years ago, she returned with her husband, Jack Chase, and two children, Sophia, 6, and Augustus, 7.
"I know I'm in the right place for sure," Arauz-Chase said. "Missouri is a great place to raise children."
The Yellow Rose Luncheon will be held May 17 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. In addition to recognizing Women of Achievement in the area, the event's proceeds support the organization's Second Chance Scholarships, which have provided more than $250,000 through 74 scholarships in 16 years to local women.
The Jefferson City Zonta club, which began in 1947, is one of the largest among Zonta International's 1,200 clubs in 67 countries. Email to [email protected] for tickets.
For more information about Zonta in Jefferson City, visit www.zontajcmo.org. And for more information about Zucker Feathers, visit www.zuckerfeather.com.