Every 98 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted. That was the message that Womankind wanted all 425 of our inaugural gala guests to walk away remembering. That night, on board the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City, supporters collectively raised $570,000--a historic amount--for survivors of gender-based violence.

“The world is a very, very strange place right now,” said Womankind Board Chair, Karen Elizaga. “From the highest levels of government and the toniest offices of corporate America, to college campuses and in far too many homes, we are seeing sexual violence. This is not new news. What is new, though, is how much more the general public is aware of the pervasiveness of gender-based violence.That there is much more dialogue and correspondingly, increased action, is a significant step to meaningful change.”

Womankind was proud to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Loida Nicolas Lewis, Chairwoman of The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation and former CEO of Beatrice Foods, a $2 billion multinational food company. Loida was the first Filipino woman to pass the New York bar without attending law school in the United States. Loida and guests were surprised with a special message from former Vice President Joseph Biden: “The Biden Foundation sends congratulations to Loida for her exceptional work in human rights and philanthropy. As you mark 35 years of service, take pride in Womankind’s incredible legacy and know that you have my best wishes for the future.”

The fundraising success of the evening was made possible by the generosity of guests, sponsors, and donors¬—both old and new. Womankind thanks our Board of Directors and all our sponsors including Karen Elizaga & Jay Ptashek, the Zubkoff/Lee Family Fund, the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, Schulte Roth & Zabel, VaynerMedia, WAC Lighting, ABC7, Goldberg Immigration, Goldman Sachs, the Donald R. Mullen Family Foundation, JanetJewelry, J.T. Tai & Co. Foundation, Radulescu LLP.