Jean Shafiroff’s Cocktail Reception for The New York Women’s Foundation

Approximately 100 notable New Yorkers from across sectors and industries gathered on September 18th at a Cocktail Reception for The New York Women's Foundation (The Foundation) hosted by author and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, to learn more about New York's economic inequality, the hardships it inflicts on women and immigrants, and how to become part of the solutions that are changing the status quo.

Each year, Ms. Shafiroff brings together a diverse group of women leaders to discuss pressing social issues confronted by The Foundation and its grantee partners. This year, Sayu Bhojwani, Founder and President of New American Leaders, which prepares first and second-generation Americans to become changemakers by entering politics, and Ngozi Okaro, Executive Director of Custom Collaborative, which trains low-income and immigrant women to launch fashion careers and businesses, spoke about ways their organizations uplift and empower women.

Ana Oliveira, President & CEO of The New York Women's Foundation, thanked Ms. Shafiroff and the attendees for their generosity and spoke of The Foundation's commitment to promoting social and economic justice. She spoke of bringing unity together across all New Yorkers as it takes "all of our expertise and knowledge" to create a city that does not leave anyone behind. She noted that through The Foundation, there is an opportunity to promote justice and invest in women-led, community-based organizations that are agents of change.

Ms. Shafiroff gave an impassioned plea to guests to support the work of The Foundation, noting that in a city that is as resource rich as New York City, that together, we have an opportunity to bring positive change to women and families that need support and resources. She praised The Foundation for its work in helping break the cycle of poverty that devastates communities by helping women, because women are the basis of a family and that it is through them, future generations are empowered.

Guests of Ms. Shafiroff at the invitation-only event, a prelude to The Foundation's upcoming fall gala on October 15th at The Plaza, included New York's notables from the worlds of business, nonprofits and philanthropy. Attendees included New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Randi Schatz, Natalie Ross, Flo Anthony, Michele Herbert, Lieba Nesis, Heather Shemilt, Lee Fryd, and Dr. Penny Grant.

The New York Women's Foundation's Radical Generosity Gala will celebrate the anniversary of the Me Too Movement by honoring actress and activist Alyssa Milano and Sony/ATV recording artists and songwriters Haley & Michaels with an award presentation by Tarana Burke, Me Too Movement Founder and Leader. Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, Director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and the Co-Founders of Level Forward, Abigail E. Disney, Adrienne Becker, Rachel Gould, and Angie G. Wang will be honored as well. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://secure.givelively.org/event/new-york-women-s-foundation/radical-generosity-gala

Now in its 31st year, The New York Women's Foundation is the largest public women's grantmaking fund in the United States.

About The New York Women's Foundation
Since 1987, The New York Women's Foundation has advanced a dynamic philanthropic strategy based on the fundamental reality that, when women thrive, their families and communities also thrive. The Foundation's grantmaking places it at the top of public women's foundations in the United States, and in the top two in the world. We invest in women-led, community-based solutions that promote the economic security, safety, and health of the most vulnerable women in New York City. We foster women's leadership, create partnerships that spark catalytic change, exchange insights with experts across sectors, and empower women by training them in activism and philanthropy to accelerate and sustain forward progress. Visit http://www.nywf.org to learn more about our work to transform lives, families, and communities – and create a better New York City for all.