Recap: WOMEN'S WAY 45th Annual Celebration
Spark Collective Action
On Thursday, May 18th, 2023, WOMEN’S WAY hosted its 45th Annual Celebration: Spark Collective Action at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel. Back in person for the first time in four years, this signature annual event and fundraiser brought together over 450 community leaders, activists, funders, and professionals from across the region to build solidarity while also raising critical funds to support WOMEN’S WAY. Together, we were able to raise $285,000 in support of WOMEN'S WAY and our work to advance gender and racial equity.
Watch below to listen to WOMEN'S WAY Chief Disruptor Diane Cornman-Levy and Board Chair Myra Brown kick off the event with opening remarks.
The theme of this year’s event, Spark Collective Action, uplifted those who are working tirelessly to ignite change and make the region one where all women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals can thrive. Among the evening’s honorees was Kathryn Kolbert, Esq., a renowned public interest attorney who has dedicated her life’s work to advancing reproductive freedom throughout the U.S.
See below to watch Linda Wharton present Kathryn Kolbert with WOMEN'S WAY'S highest honor, the Lucretia Mott Award, and listen to Kolbert's inspiring acceptance remarks.
Other highlights of the evening included a marketplace organized by Tanya T. Morris of Mom Your Business to showcase the work of 4 local women of color entrepreneurs, a special guest performance by 9-time Blues Music Awards nominated saxophonist and vocalist, Vanessa N. Collier, and the presentation of the Gender Equity Champion Award to Christine Lussier for her longstanding commitment to WOMEN'S WAY and the advancement of gender and racial equity.
See below to watch Christine Lussier receive the Gender Equity Champion Award, presented by WOMEN'S WAY Board Chair Myra Brown.
We are so grateful to each and every partner, sponsor, volunteer, and friend of WOMEN'S WAY who joined us at the 45th Annual Celebration to celebrate our remarkable honorees and uplift this year's theme, Spark Collective Action. Together, we can spark collective action and build a more just and equitable future for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals!
Didn't get a chance to donate in honor of the WOMEN'S WAY 45th Annual Celebration?
It's not too late! Make a contribution here or by texting our text-to-pledge number at (215) 309-9616. All proceeds will go directly toward supporting WOMEN’S WAY programs and initiatives working to advance gender and racial equity in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Let us know how you plan to Spark Collective Action:
Engage with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and let us know your takeaways from the event using the hashtags, #SparkCollectiveAction and #WW45AC!
WOMEN’S WAY gratefully acknowledges the following supporters of the 45th Annual Celebration:
SIGNATURE: J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
Gold: Wells Fargo
Silver: Ballard Spahr LLP, FS Investments, ZS Associates
Bronze: Comcast NBCUniversal, IMS Technology Services, M&T Bank / Wilmington Trust, PECO, Zenith Wealth Partners
Copper: AmeriHealth Caritas, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Fox Rothschild LLP, Garrison Printing Co, Independence Blue Cross, Ogletree Deakins, PNC, Tara Health Foundation, Thomas Jefferson University & Jefferson Health, Univest Bank
Friends Circle: Community College of Philadelphia, NWON Opportunities LLC, The Forum of Executive Women
