Situated on the eastern edge of Central Park, New York’s Pierre Hotel was the destination of the Ms. Foundation’s 2015 Gloria Awards. The annual gala serves as a salute to women of vision, honoring programs, organizations, and leaders who contribute to the cause. On Monday, May 11, the gala’s 2015 iteration was an immense success; it brought together inspiring women, and ultimately raised $750,000 for leadership development, capacity building, and encouraging the feminists of tomorrow.
The Pierre opened its doors at 6pm and welcomed guests with the evening’s program. With the help of Gloria Steinem — a nationally recognized leader in feminism and one of the organization’s founding mothers — the Ms. Foundation and Save the DateⓇ produced a touching, diverse program in the 4 hours that followed. Guests began their evening with a cocktail hour, perusing around the beautiful venue. Attendees began to make lasting memories of the night, posing at the step-and-repeat and displaying fun, feminist statement boards in the event photo booth.
Inside the dining room, tables shone with beautiful place settings. As the dinner program began, riveting speeches soon followed. Leaders like Gloria Steinem, actor Marlo Thomas, and co-founder of Sesame Street Joan Ganz Cooney took to the podium, sharing words of wisdom on the topics of leadership and feminism. Several awards were presented; from ACT for Women and Girls to Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc, organizations were honored for their grassroots work in raising the collective voices of women. “Feminism is not only alive, it’s thriving,” said Teresa Younger, CEO of the Ms. Foundation, to a room of inspired guests. The speeches united all in the room and celebrated decades of foundation’s success. Together the event raised $750,000, and guests enjoyed a beautiful dinner program, an inspiring event, and a rocking after party to celebrate the evening’s success.
“You know it’s good when the boys want in,” Marlo Thomas quoted Gloria Steinem in her moving speech that night. We couldn’t agree more. These powerful women proved just how good it is to be a part of the cause, and Save the DateⓇ was proud to be involved.
