2023 Gala

JOIN US!
Friday, October 27, 2023
6:00-11:00 p.m. EDT
Pre-Event Reception: 6:00 p.m. EDT
Dinner and Program: 7:30 p.m. EDT
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC

2023 GALA

Since 1972, the National Women’s Law Center has defied what people say women “should” or “shouldn’t” do. For over five decades, we’ve battled—and reigned victorious—over those who want the world to stay small, narrow, and available only to the select (and male) few.

But today, we find ourselves at the heart of the fight for gender justice.

The stakes have never been higher for abortion rights, LGBTQ+ children, and for women and families and all that we hold dear. And amid this moment of reckoning, our power comes from our community. Your support is what has helped us not just push back, but push forward, achieving so many hard-won victories over the past year. We are so excited for the opportunity to gather in gratitude and in commemoration, replenishing our joy so we can renew our resistance for the battles that lie ahead.

We welcome you to join us—in joy, for defiance, and with hope— at our annual gala at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC.

This annual event is one of D.C.’s most notable gatherings of policymakers, influencers, and thought leaders working at the intersection of law, policy, and culture change. With over 1,000 attendees from the women’s, civil rights, corporate, philanthropic, and legal communities, the gala shines a light on the most pressing gender justice issues of our time, including Title IX, sexual harassment and violence, reproductive rights and health, equal pay, access to high-quality child care, and economic security for women, their families, and their communities. The extraordinary evening offers a unique opportunity to hear from changemakers across sectors who are fighting to build a country that is equitable for all women, girls, and those across the gender spectrum. Whether joining us in-person or tuning in virtually from across the country, the experience will bring the most conscientious and committed gender justice champions together, mark how far we’ve come, and shine a light on the path forward.

2022 VIRTUAL GALA HIGHLIGHTS

Since 1972, the National Women’s Law Center has been at the forefront of every major battle and victory in the fight for gender justice. From our country’s ongoing reckoning over the right to bodily autonomy and freedom, to the efforts to redefine what it means for parents and families to survive and prosper, to the core belief that women and girls should learn and work free from discrimination and violence, the Law Center has been there, demanding justice for her – and justice for all.

For five decades, our storied institution has worked to change our laws, policies, and culture to undo generations of systemic harm and forge a better path for the future. Our yearlong celebration of our history – and what’s yet to be done – culminated with NWLC’s 50th Anniversary Gala, held at the REACH at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This annual event is one of D.C.’s most notable gatherings of policymakers, influencers, and thought leaders, with over 1,000 attendees from the women’s, civil rights, corporate, philanthropic, and legal communities.

On November 12, 2022, we honored some of the most notable and consequential gender justice leaders of the last half century, and offered guests an unparalleled opportunity to hear from influencers and changemakers across sectors who are fighting to build a country that is truly gender-equal, equitable, and just.

The 2022 Gala was chaired by Priya Aiyar, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, American Airlines and hosted by NWLC Board of Directors. Thanks to generous sponsors and donors, we raised funds to support the Law Center’s work to advance gender justice in the courts, in the states, in the press, in our movement, and in Congress and our federal government. To view a list of our lead sponsors, please click here. To view the digital program, please click here.

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We celebrated some audacious innovators with our Trailblazer Award, presented by incredible changemakers in their own right—including Isabella Gomez, actress and activist, and Meena Harris, founder & CEO, Phenomenal.

And then, there are the awardees themselves. From her very first kickoff, soccer star Megan Rapinoe, two-time world cup champion and member of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, has been fighting for equal pay in the sporting world. We also honored Dolores Huerta, president and founder, Dolores Huerta Foundation, a workers’ rights activist who managed to convince 17 million people to stop buying grapes until grape farmers got paid more than 70 cents an hour. At 92, Huerta is a civil rights icon who defined her generation, and now, Mónica Ramírez, founder & president, Justice for Migrant Women, an ardent advocate for migrant women, is leading ours.

We also heard from Priya Aiyar, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, American Airlines, Xavier Becerra, Secretary, US Department of Health and Human Services, Douglas Emhoff, Second Gentleman of the United States, Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO, National Women’s Law Center, Tonya Robinson, Vice Chair & General Counsel, Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance, KPMG LLP, Jane Sherburne, Principal, Sherburne PLLC, and Elizabeth H. Shuler, President, AFL-CIO.

Watch the 2022 Gala program below!

2021 VIRTUAL GALA HIGHLIGHTS

On October 28, 2021, friends and supporters of the National Women’s Law Center came together to support our mission, celebrate our victories in the fight for gender justice, and leverage our collective power to achieve the future we deserve, the future we’re fighting for.

Thanks to generous sponsors and donors, we raised funds to support the Law Center’s work to advance gender justice in the courts, in the states, in the press, in our movement, and in Congress and our federal government. To view a list of our lead sponsors, please click here. To view the digital program, please click here.

final_nwlc_2021_ProgramGALA

Throughout the event, we heard from advocates and influencers who highlighted the courage and perseverance of all those working behind the headlines to achieve gender justice. Padma Lakshmi, television host/producer and New York Times best-selling author, joined us to talk about how the pandemic is affecting hospitality workers. Amber Stevens West, actor and mother of two, was in conversation with a child care provider on what’s next to rebuild that sector. June Diane Raphael, actor and author, was joined by an abortion rights activist to discuss what’s on the line and why abortion, actually, is central to our equality and freedom. Qian Julie Wang, New York Times best-selling author and civil rights litigator, interviewed a student about investments we’re making in young people today. And, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Charles Schumer provided remarks about how the Build Back Better agenda is urgently needed to transform the lives of women and families, as well as their visions for a more gender just future. The program also featured two musical performances by MILCK.

Watch the 2021 Virtual Gala program below!