Celebrating Transformation: Momentum Awards 2012

On Thursday, May 3, 2011, hundreds of fabulous women (and a couple men!) gathered to celebrate transformation at the Women’s Foundation of California’s Momentum Awards held at The Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

 

(members: Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus, Renee Herrell, Sasha Clines)

“Celebrating powerful women who transform lives.”

The evening began upstairs on the outdoor patio of The Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills with delicious food and wine.

After we were all sufficiently fed, the attendees were escorted down stairs to the ballroom for the Awards Ceremony and cupcakes (!).

With Beyonce’s “Girls!” (lyrics: Who runs the world? Girls! Girls!) blasting over the PA system, the Mistress of Ceremonies, Assembly member Holly J. Mitchell, took the podium to welcome guests and began honoring the awardees.

Kathryn Downing, Chair of the Women’s Foundation of California Board of Directors, spoke of courage when she accepted the Changemaker Award. She encouraged us to “speak one’s mind from the heart.”

Susan Burton (pictured), Founder and Executive Director of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, accepted the Groundbreaker Award and spoke of her own experience of being incarcerated and released led her to start an organization to help women rebuild their lives after prison. Her message to women who were formerly incarcerated: “You don’t have to do this alone. I will help you.” A New Way of Life Reentry Project is a grant partner in Los Angeles of the Women’s Foundation of California.

Anna Deavere Smith (pictured), award-winning Playwright and Actor, accepted the TrailBlazer Award. She described transformation as: “If you saw one word every day, you would become it. That’s transformation.” Her unforgettable performance was an impression of two women who had gone through an incredible transformation. Ms. Deavere Smith turned herself into “Harriet,” a survivor of the Rwanda genocide who quietly reveals the gruesome details surrounding her family’s murder and her escape from her attackers and eventually reveals that she is know a student at Stanford – gaining a *gasp* from the audience. Harriet speaks of forgiving those who murdered her family and village: “You can’t go further than you can go. You have to forgive. Forgiveness is grace. Grace is a form of transformation.” Then Ms. Deavere transformed into Maria, Juror #7 on the Rodney King federal trial who describes the inner-workings of the jury room and the day where everyone melted down or as she refers to it: “The AA Meeting.” Through the decision-making process, Maria realizes that “I’m learning about my best and worse self.”

A BIG thank you to Gayle Tauber for hosting a table and inviting us to be her esteemed guests!!!