JEAN SHAFIROFF HOSTS NYWF AT LE CIRQUE

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NEW YORK WOMANS FOUNDATION

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Jean Shafiroff

Ann Rapp

Ana Oliveira With Diana Taylor, Jean Shafiroff

And Ginny Day

Sara Herbert Galloway

Jean Shafiroff, Board Member of The New York Women’s Foundation (NYWF), hosted a kickoff luncheon at Le Cirque on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 for The NYWF’s 25th Anniversary Celebration to be held at Alice Tully Hall on October 23, 2012. Special Guests Diana L. Taylor and Ginny Day, Current and Founding Board Chairs of The New York Women’s Foundation were featured speakers as well as Ana Oliveira, President & CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation, and Jessamyn Waldman Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Hot Bread Kitchen, a NYWF Grantee Partner. Guests in attendance included The New York Women’s Foundation Board Members and Co-Chairs of the event, Taina Bien-Aime, Michelle Penzer, Rossana Rosado, Karen Sharkey, Toni La Belle, Celeste Smith, Anne Delaney, Jennifer Giacobbe, Susan Cote, Mahsa Pelosky, Hyatt Bass, Yvonne Moore, Yvonne Quinn and Kwanza Bulter; socialites Ann Rapp, Fe Fendi, and Patricia Shiah; philanthropists Joyce Cowin and Jean Troubh; Susan Patricof; Liz Peek; Georgina Schaeffer; Sandra McConnell; Anka Palitz; Alexandra Stanton; Bonnie Comley; Zita Davisson; Joan Hornig; Cheri Kaufman; Sharon Kerr; Lynn Paulson; Janna Bullock; Andrea Greeven Douzet and Sonia Nassery Cole.

To begin the luncheon, Ana Oliveira, welcomed guests and honored this special time in The NYWF’s history. Starting 25 years ago as an incredible vision, The NYWF set out to create a model of philanthropy by Women for Women. They created an amazing cross-cultural alliance of women of means, power and civic leaders and mobilized their hearts, minds and resources to be a voice for women and a force for change in NYC. Twenty five years later the NYWF supports women-led, grass roots, community based organizations, all working to improve the lives of the 1.1 million women and children living in poverty today in NYC. Ms. Oliveira then went on to welcome Diana L. Taylor, Current NYWF Board Chair and Ginny Day, Founding NYWF Board Chair to the luncheon. Ms. Day spoke of The NYWF at its earliest stages when she and the other founding Board Members realized a lack of funding in New York City focusing on women, and how traditional philanthropy wasn’t serving them well. This is when they had their “aha” moment, inspiring them to create a foundation that would connect women of means and power with women in the neighborhood to foster sustainable change and create role models to empower them. Ms. Taylor then revealed her hopes for The NYWF to “get to a point in the future where [The New York Women’s Foundation] is the catalyst for change in NYC and becomes the role model for other organizations and cities.”

Ms. Oliveira announced that The NYWF will give an unprecedented five million dollars in grants in New York City in 2012 alone. The money supports 85 organizations in the five boroughs impacting the lives of women and girls with programs in anti-violence, job training and placement, after school programs, health, sexuality and reproductive rights. Ms. Oliveria then introduced Jessamyn Waldman Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Hot Bread Kitchen, a NYWF grantee partner, whose nonprofit organization assists immigrant and minority women in training and getting jobs in the culinary industry. Hot Bread Kitchen is currently in its third grant cycle and their graduates have seen a 57% increase in their income since entering the program. Ms. Waldman Rodriguez credits The NYWF for their success in four key ways– 1. The NYWF believed in Hot Bread Kitchen from the start and was an early funder, and has remained a partner throughout their growth; 2. The NYWF’s unique and visionary model of women’s philanthropy believes in women to find the best solutions for the women in their communities. 3. As Hot Bread Kitchen continues to grow, The NYWF funds them in different ways, whether it is assisting in buying new computers or keeping the lights on, all to build capacity and sustain growth; and 4. The NYWF’s network of other grantees is unmatched, allowing each grantee access to a large network of connections and solutions.

Ms. Oliveria then introduced Jean Shafiroff, The NYWF Board Member and luncheon host. Ms. Shafiroff thanked all attendees for taking the time to join her and The NYWF at the luncheon. She spoke about the importance of The NYWF and how the foundation, “serves as a role model for women around the World.” Ms. Shafiroff also addressed the oppression of women in many parts of the world and stated, “when you empower a woman, you empower a family; when you empower a family, you empower a community; when you empower a community, you empower a nation; and when you empower a nation, you empower the World.”

ABOUT NYWF: The New York Women’s Foundation® is a cross-cultural alliance of women, serving as a voice for women and a force for change. The Foundation identifies innovative organizations that are effecting change in the communities they serve for women. NYWF strategically funds organizations and programs that move women, girls and families toward long-term economic security through individual transformation and systemic change, mobilizing leaders and community partners as philanthropists and change agents. NYWF funds programs that promote economic security and justice, anti-violence and safety; and health, sexual rights and reproductive justice for women and girls in New York City.

For further information about the New York Women’s Foundation please visit, www.nywf.org.