THE NYC WAYUU TAYA FOUNDATION GALA

****
The Wayuu Taya Foundation
****
****
Rita Cosby With Patricia Velasquez

Iman With Tomaczek Bednarek And Rita Cosby

Alex McCord And Simon Van Kempen

Donna Karan And Rita Cosby


Rita Cosby With Anderson Cooper


The fifth annual Wayuu Taya Foundation fundraising gala took place in New York City at The Bowery Hotel yesterday. The nonprofit organization founded in 2002 by actress, model and UNESCO Artist for Peace Patricia Velasquez, raises funds for Latin American indigenous communities. The Foundation focuses its attention on those that are most at risk – women and children. Since its inception, the Foundation has helped save the lives of hundreds of children, and has created a self-sustainable program focused on improving the lives of women through education and earning capabilities. In 2005, the Foundation inaugurated its first Roof Project Center; a centrally located network of facilities aimed at improving nutrition, education, and health care for the poorest and most ignored indigenous communities.The Foundation also reaches out to educational and healthcare facilities outside its Roof Project Center. In late 2006 continuing through 2007, the Foundation was instrumental in creating classrooms and assisting local clinics in their reach and operation. The intimate event honored a group of humanitarians who have contributed to the welfare of our global community. In honor of the Foundation’s fifth year anniversary, this year’s honorees included 5 incredible women: iconic fashion designer and founder of the Urban Zen Project Donna Karan, supermodel and CEO of Iman Cosmetics Iman, philanthropist Dany Garcia, Creative Vision’s Founder Kathy Eldon, and world renowned singer Bebel Gilberto. Presenters included CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, Rosie O Donnell, designers Isaac Mizrahi and Narciso Rodriguez. The emcee was former Fox News and MSNBC host and NY Times bestselling author Rita Cosby. Russell Simmons delivered “special remarks” during the event. They joined past honorees that include Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rachel Weisz, Russell Simmons, Wilmer Valderrama, Eileen Ford, and Carolina Herrera. A special performance by multi Grammy nominated Brazilian singer and honoree Bebel Gilberto provided the evening’s entertainment. The evening opened with a heart-stopping flamenco performance by internationally acclaimed dancer Rafael Amargo. “In just a few short years, we have been able to make a real difference to the lives of so many women and children in one of the poorest areas of the earth. I am confident that this year’s gala event raised enough funds for us to continue and expand our vitally important projects,” said founder, Patricia Velasquez. The Wayuu Taya Foundation was created in order to help improve the lives of Latin-American indigenous people while maintaining and respecting their traditions, culture and beliefs. The Foundation began its operations in an area that borders Venezuela and Colombia — where it has concentrated its efforts in assisting the WayĂșu, an indigenous group comprised of over 500,000 people.


Rita Cosby With Russell Simmons

Daily News Icon George Rush With Mark Pasetsky
Photos By: James Edstrom

Comments

Red said…
What a worthwhile foundation for once. Great pictures, James.
Rita looks Fabulous!!
Anonymous said…
Rita looks absolutly beautiful as usual. I miss seeing her.
Mrs Marple said…
Nice article! Nice to see Rita smiling! She looks fabulous!
Anonymous said…
Rita, you look great!so nice to see you ,hope to see you on tv soon. now go kick butt in court .
Anonymous said…
Hi James! :o)
Rita looks great!
It is good to see her out & about & smiling.
I can't wait till she wins her lawsuit & puts Howard & Larry on their place.
It is very telling that Larry never followed through with his threat to sue.
He never sued Kerrick Ross either.
Hasn't sued Pol & Patrik either.... ROTFLMAO!
No one cares if he is gay we care that they are LIARS!

Good luck to Rita in all her endeavors!!!!!!!
(((Hugs))) to you James!!
Cat