The New York Women's Foundation®

The New York Women’s Foundation’s Stepping Out and Stepping Up honored Elizabeth and Herbert Sturz and Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas D. Kristof. The Stepping Up Award is presented to recognized New Yorkers who serve as role models of courageous leadership, vision and commitment to women and girls as individuals and as partners. The evening began with a cocktail reception attended by General Consul of Mexico Beltran, Mayor Bloomberg, Council Speaker Quinn, which followed with dinner and dancing and included a special performance by Grammy Award–winning recording artist, Mary J. Blige, who sang stunning renditions of her hits “No More Drama” and “One” to an amazed crowd. Mary dedicated her performance to the power and unity of women.

Ana Oliveira, CEO & President spoke about NYWF’s expertise in leveraging strategic partnerships to build economic security for women and families in New York City. Honorees Elizabeth and Herbert Sturz who founded 24 nonprofit and government agencies between them, saluted the Foundation for their work in supporting women. Sheryl WuDunn spoke movingly about the importance of investing in women and girls locally as a prerequisite to investing globally. Nicholas Kristof praised NYWF for holding up ‘two thirds of the sky.’ Islyn Matthews, a successful entrepreneur and participant of WHEDCo, a long–time NYWF grantee partner, moved audiences with a personal story of transformation, embodying the mission of the Foundation.

Co–Chairs for the evening included Hyatt Bass, Sayu V. Bhojwani, Aiyoung Choi, Susan R. Cullman, Grace Hightower De Niro, Somers W. Farkas, Margaret Munzer Loeb, Carolyn Buck Luce, Jean Shafiroff, Diana L. Taylor, Jacqueline P. Togut, and Barbara Brizzi Wynne.