Power in Progress: The New York Women’s Foundation Raises $1.2M at 2025 Celebrating Women® Breakfast

The ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis buzzed with urgency and optimism as over a thousand changemakers gathered for The New York Women’s Foundation’s 2025 Celebrating Women® Breakfast. This year’s theme, “Together, we create power and possibility,” echoed not only through impassioned speeches and standing ovations but also in the staggering $1.2 million raised to support NYWF’s mission of community-led grantmaking.

Founded in 1987, The New York Women’s Foundation (NYWF) has long stood at the forefront of social progress—amplifying grassroots initiatives that challenge inequality at its root. This year’s breakfast, one of the city’s most anticipated philanthropic events, served as both a fundraiser and a stage to honor those shaping a more just future across New York and beyond.

The morning’s honorees reflected the spectrum of voices pushing boundaries in health, literature, policy, and finance. Among them was Fran Drescher—actor, author, health advocate, and now President of SAG-AFTRA—recognized for her leadership in labor rights, health equity, and legislative efforts like The CROWN Act and The American Music Fairness Act.

Jacqueline Woodson, celebrated author and founder of BALDWIN FOR THE ARTS, received accolades for her work uplifting artists of the Global Majority. Her speech underscored the deeper intent of her activism: “We are gender-expansive people, we are women, we are activists, and we are doing this work to keep this world safe even as folks wake up every morning trying to figure out how to make this world unsafe for us.”

Beyond individual honorees, the Foundation spotlighted organizations championing systemic change. JPMorganChase received the Vision Award for its investment in inclusive economic opportunity.

Accepting on behalf of the company, Michelle Henry emphasized:

The ERA Coalition and the Fund for Women’s Equality—collectively known as ERA Coalition Forward—were honored for leading a movement of nearly 300 partner organizations united in their pursuit to embed gender equality into the U.S. Constitution. Accepting the award were Zakiya Thomas, Carol Jenkins, Carolyn Maloney, and Jessica Neuwirth, underscoring the coalition’s strength in intergenerational leadership.

Locally, New Yorkers for Equal Rights was celebrated for advancing Proposal 1, a ballot initiative to expand anti-discrimination language in the New York State Constitution. Sasha Ahuja accepted the award alongside fellow advocates Donna Lieberman, Robin Chappelle-Golston, and L. Joy Williams.

The Foundation also honored its 2024–2025 community partners, spotlighting The Brooklyn Economic Justice Project and The Informed Consent Coalition for their intersectional, community-rooted work. These organizations exemplify NYWF’s commitment to funding local movements that scale solutions with measurable, lasting impact.

The morning’s reflections were further enriched by Foundation Board Members Lola C. West and Victoria Chu Pao. “I have fallen in love with The Foundation because they are true visionaries and can see the problems and figure out the solutions before the city, country, or world see it,” said West. Chu Pao added, “Investing in our future is most powerful when we at The New York Women’s Foundation fund collective action work.”

Presentations by board members Mary Baglivo and Danielle Moss Cox added to the program, reinforcing the Foundation’s deep bench of leadership.

With more than $133 million invested in over 518 organizations since its inception, The New York Women’s Foundation continues to prove that transformative change doesn’t come from the top down—it grows from within communities. Through its Celebrating Women® Breakfast, the Foundation not only raises critical funds but also reinforces a shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and collective advancement.