The Women’s Foundation of California (WFC) Momentum Awards was held on Friday, May 20, 2011 at the beautiful Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. Eleven Women Give members headed up to be part of this amazing luncheon. The theme of the event was echoed through Margaret Meade’s time honored words:
“Never doubt that a small group of dedicated committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
The Momentum Awards Luncheon was an inspiring event honoring incredible women who had made a major impact in elevating the status of women in California. As I sat in my seat and looked over the sea of women attendees, I was in awe of the intelligence, influence and poise in the room. It was stimulating to be sitting next to peers who were all determined to help their fellow women who live on the political, social and economic margin.
As a young philanthropist, I was surrounded by my future: women who had devoted their time, talent and treasure to making a difference in their community, state and world. I can’t wait to grow up.
(pictured: Jan Tuttleman, Bunmi Esho, Sheona Richardson, Lisa Swann, Linda Katz, Johanna Schiavoni, Renee Herrell, Sasha Clines, Debi Spindelman, Deirdre Maloney, Stacey Klaman)
The beautiful and talented Aisha Tyler (Ross’s girlfriend on Friends!) reigned supreme as the Mistress of Ceremonies, letting the audience know that if she mispronounced anyone’s name, they could come find her after the event to “hug it out.”
Awardees
The California Healthy Nail Collaborative was given the “Groundbreaker” Award for their work to guarantee healthy and safe nail salons for workers and consumers and the right toxin-free cosmetics to all Californians. Julia Liou and Anuja Mendiratta, two WFC Women’s Policy Institute fellows, teamed up on state legislation advocating for safer personal care products that led them to gain more supporters to create the Collaborative. They reminded the audience to avoid using the “Toxic Trio” (di-n-butyl phthalate (DPB), formaldehyde and toluene) when visiting nail salons.
California State Senator Carol Liu was given the “Changemaker” Award for championing the health and safety of California’s girls, women and families. As a devoted mother, she began volunteering for the PTA and ended up being the first Asian American woman ever elected to the California State Senate. Senator Liu is a powerful partner to the Women’s Foundation of California in advocating for women and girls.
Jacqueline Caster was given the “Trailblazer” Award for starting the Everychild Foundation, a group of 200 women who give $1 million a year to Los Angeles children in need. They have been instrumental by providing grants to renovate and expand a counseling center for abused children, a universally accessible playground for youth with disabilities, and helped construct a facility for an after-school program for at-risk teens. In her speech, there was an undeniable pride in her work and humility in being honored for her work. I was so impressed by her energy and spirit for her work and what she and a (not so small) group of women were able to accomplish.
Keynote Speaker
The event was closed out by keynote speaker, Peggy Orenstein, author of “Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the new Girlie-Girl Culture.” In raising her daughter, Daisy, she was horrified to discover the pink girlie girl culture that delivers superficial messages to young girls about the way they should dress, act and style themselves.
I walked away from the event feeling a quiet gratitude for women who are changing the world with their actions, words and spirit and feeling honored to play be a small part through Women Give in helping make a difference in the lives of women in California.
Blog post written by Women Give San Diego member, Renee Herrell, M.A., CFRE who writes a popular profit on nonprofit topics: reneeherrell.wordpress.com
A very special thank you to Debi Spindelman for the incredible (and professional!) photos.
Wow! What an amazing and inspiring event that must have been. Great coverage, Renee!
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