Earlier this month, the Voss Foundation held its eighth annual Women Helping Women New York Luncheon at the Dream Downtown.
Cynthia Erivo, an Emmy, Tony & Grammy-winning actress, and the award-winning journalist, Tamron Hall, were honored at the Luncheon for the important work they do to help those in need and give back and support women everywhere.
Both Cynthia Erivo and Tamron Hall expressed their belief that the best thing that one can do is to give back to those in need. Whether in words or deeds, they both stressed that a simple act of kindness has the ability to impact another person’s life in ways that you might be unaware of.
The Luncheon also honored the late Charlot Malin, as the former Voss Foundation Director, Kara Gerson, gave a moving tribute to her. Charlot was a San Francisco based member of the board and passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. The Charlot D. Malin Commemorative Fund has been in her memory and all money raised in 2017 will be used toward a project in her name.
Almost 200 guests dined on a fall menu of salmon and lentils amongst a colorful array of African fabrics designed by the 2017 Voss Foundation Women Helping Women Hamptons’ honoree, Mariama Camara.
Susan Fales-Hill, the Mistress of Ceremonies, writer, producer & author, aided by fashion personality, Frederick Anderson, took turns engaging the crowd throughout the afternoon with rousing calls to action to purchase from Voss’ Foundation celebrated African Bazaar and to fill out the tableside Fund A Need cards to support the foundation’s ongoing water projects. The bazaar includes artisanal handmade jewelry, scarves, baskets, and toys purchased directly from communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Liberia, Swaziland, and Uganda where the organization works.
The benefit raised over $100,000 to fund Voss Foundation’s ongoing water projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The luncheon received support from AMC (Applied Merchandising Concepts), BET Networks, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Empower Cocktails, Greenberg Traurig and VOSS Water.
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Photography by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Voss Foundation
