New York City---
A RECAP...
the 25th Anniversary
Celebrating Women® Breakfast
honoring
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
The Century Award
Ai-jen Poo, Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance
Celebrating Women® Award
Merble Reagon, Executive Director, Women’s Center for Education and Career Advancement
Celebrating Women® Award
IN ATTENDANCE:
Ana L. Oliveira, President & CEO New York Women’s Foundation
Diana L. Taylor, NYWF Board Chair
Taina Bien-Aimé, NYWF Secretary
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, NYWF Treasurer
Abigail E. Disney, Honorary Chair
Helen LaKelly Hunt, NYWF Founding Mother, Chair Emerita
Betty Terrell-Cruz, NYWF Founding Mother
Christine Quinn, Speaker, New York City Council
Elizabeth Krueger, New York State Senator, District of Manhattan
Charles J. Hynes, NY County District Attorney
Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President
Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President
John C. Liu, New York City Comptroller
Tina Brown, Editor in Chief, Newsweek Daily Beast
Jean Shafiroff, Philanthropist
Louise Wachtmeister, Founder, Best of All Worlds
Tamsen Fadal, Anchor, WPIX 11
Phillip Bloch, Celebrity Stylist
Betty Terrell-Cruz, NYWF Founding Mother
Anita Channapati, Celebrating Women® Breakfast Co-Chair
Anne E. Delaney, NYWF Vice-Chair, Celebrating Women® Breakfast Co-Chair
Robyn Brady Ince, Celebrating Women® Breakfast Co-Chair
Talk about inspiring...a packed house (over 2300, mostly women) at the Mariott Marquis-(May 10th, 2012)--- that one breakfast speaker...Speaker of the NY City Council, Christine Quinn joked would not past the FDNY legal occupancy limits...celebrated the 25th Anniversary of The New York Women's Foundation-a cross-cultural alliance that provides critical funds for non-profits, big and small- that make a practical difference in the lives of women---residing inside the five boroughs of the Big Apple.
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| Christine Quinn-image- Marion Curtis/StarPix |
Many speeches, particularly those by relatively young women who are college attendees and single moms able to support their children...emanated from the heart and captured attendees attention like no other awards ceremony we have been to---reflecting on how dollars from NYWF that went to certain NGO's---changed their lives---helping them, with one woman noting "...the step that you take after (a fallen moment in one's life)...that defines you..."
Change takes time and love makes the difference
The moment that had even the hotel staff literally stop in their tracks...was the poignant and staggeringly awesome speech by honoree, Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton...intro-ed by witty and observant remarks from documentary film maker (Praise The Devil Back To Hell), Abigail E. Disney...who quipped:
"What was so divisive about all that common sense that was coming out of her (HRC's) mouth..."
Well yes, a couple of million cracks in the ceiling later---Clinton's comments had all of us enchanted...and so appropriately, recounted her own mother's childhood ---the hardships growing up in the 1920's---and truly how important that "at critical points in my life... someone showed me kindness...someone gave me help..." being the key to more than just survival...but also exemplifying "...the best tradition of American caring."
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| Ana Olivera Pres. & Ceo NYWF, Al-Jen Poo-honoree, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Merble Reagon-honoree, Abigail DIsney image-marion curtis/StarPix |
We loved Clinton's concluding quip too-reference the ceremonial walking stick, individually awarded to honorees all:
"...I will try to put this to good use- either leaning on it or wielding it..."
NICE.
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| Jean Shafiroff, Philanthropist-busy working on several Hampton's based charity efforts |
Earlier in the week, we had a few moments at the Cirpiani 42nd Street locale- for the 34th American Apparel and Footwear Association's Image Awards Gala-an annual event that this year, presented the Humanitarian Award to Swimmer Michael Phelps...
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| Michael Phelps with kids from the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club Swim sam members-image John Calabrese |
Nice here too!
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| image John Calabrese |
-J. Ecochard-