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A gala can be the major cornerstone of an organization, setting aside one night where members can get together and enjoy each other’s company. It is a place to honor those who have achieved greatness and also a place to support important causes and charities. The 2021 P.O.W.E.R. Gala being held on October 14, 2021 at The Mansion at Oyster Bay in Woodbury, New York does all that and more!
Supporting our Women of P.O.W.E.R.
As founder and editor-in-chief of P.O.W.E.R. (Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized) and P.O.W.E.R. Magazine, I see the profiles of our amazing members every day. They are achieving great things and helping women break through glass ceilings and reach the stratosphere. It is P.O.W.E.R.’s mission to provide a powerful network of women who will mentor, inspire, and empower each other to be the best they can be. Getting our members together to celebrate women and everything they can accomplish is the main focus of our Gala.
Honoree Awards
It is important to me to showcase women who have achieved greatness in their fields, whether they are our members or female icons that stand out in their professions. This is accomplished through our awards. This year, P.O.W.E.R. is honoring 13 fantastic women (and one man) in the following fields:
Chimene Van Gundy-Woman of the Year Award; Cathy CaDori Marshall- Humanitarian Award; Princess Amanda Borghese and Ilaria Borghese-Mother and Daughter Entrepreneurial Award; Victoria Wieck-Mentor of the Year Award; Jennifer and Jason Gibson- POWER Couple Award; Priscilla DiStasio-Beauty Award; Nicole B. Saphier, MD- Top Doctor-Media Wellness Award; Hakika DuBose Wise (Kika Wise)- Rising Star Award; Francisca D’Agostino-Mom of the Year Award; Susan Lucci-Icon Award; Donatella A Stewart – Top Chef Award; Martha Wash- Music Diva Award.
Breast Cancer Awareness
As I’m sure many of you are aware, October is breast cancer awareness month, so along with the awards at the Gala, we are having a silent auction and raffle baskets with proceeds going to The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation which raises awareness and supports research for triple negative breast cancer. This is a cause that is near and dear to me as both my sister, cousin, and millions of women worldwide suffer with breast cancer. The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 2006 in honor of Nancy Block-Zenna, a young woman who was diagnosed at age 35 with triple negative breast cancer and passed away two and a half years later in 2007. In response to Nancy’s diagnosis, her close friends launched the TNBC Foundation to raise awareness and support research in triple negative breast cancer. Over the years, the foundation has grown to be the leading advocacy group for the TNBC community. The TNBC Foundation strives to be a credible source for triple negative breast cancer information, a catalyst for science and patient advocacy, and a caring community with meaningful services for patients and their families. Hayley Dinerman and her team offer amazing resources including research grants, helplines, symposiums, and an informative and helpful website to name a few. Our amazing donors have outdone themselves with baskets and prizes for our silent auction. It is our hope that we can help raise much-needed funds to assist this amazing organization.
Girls Also Want to Have Fun
With all this powerful recognition and charity work going on, I also want to make sure that we have lots of fun at the Gala, too. Not only will we have powerful opera singer and incredible woman, Cristina Fontanelli perform, but the Music Diva herself, Martha Wash, will sing one of her hits as her way to contribute to this night. This will be followed by music and dancing by DJ Louie Mangione. Our guests will enjoy a cocktail hour and dinner. We also will be announcing that P.O.W.E.R. is coupling with Prism Med Spa for an exciting makeover and exclusive feature in P.O.W.E.R. Magazine.
The following day, P.O.W.E.R. is holding a breakfast and mini seminar with two of our award honorees. Chimene Van Gundy will be discussing her mindset and how it led to her success and Victoria Wieck will be presenting strategies to achieve your goals
I know that this will be a wonderful evening of dining, dancing, mingling with family, friends, and future business connections. Look for photos from this Gala in our next issue of P.O.W.E.R. Magazine.
