DALLAS, Oct 29, 2009 / FW/ — Taking top fashion honors for the night, actress Reese Witherspoon and Honorary Chair, Avon Foundation for Women, wore strapless black-and-white silk and patent-leather from Narciso Rodriguez, to host the ninth annual Avon Foundation for Women Gala.
Held at the Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, the event honored exceptional women and men for their efforts fighting breast cancer and domestic violence.
With Reese and Andrea Jung, Avon Chairman and CEO, Avon Products Inc as co-hosts, and a special musical performance by Fergie, more than 550 guests attended the event, which raised $2 million to benefit breast cancer research and access to care and domestic violence education, prevention and victim support programs.
Along with Reese Witherspoon and Andrea Jung, presenters included Patrick and Jillian Dempsey, Courteney Cox, Lauren Conrad, and Suze Orman. Featured guests included “Precious” star Paula Patton, Push author Sapphire, and Today Show co-host Hoda Kotb.
Every year since 2001, the Avon Foundation for Women has recognized individuals, organizations and companies for leadership in women’s causes. This year’s honorees included the following:
The Medical Advancement in Breast Cancer Award was presented by Patrick and Jillian Dempsey and Andrea Jung to Barbara Cicatelli and Kathy Gates-Ferris, founder and director of the non-profit organization Cicatelli Associates Inc
The Community Advocacy Champion Award was presented by Reese Witherspoon to Casey Gwinn, J.D. for the National Family Justice Center Alliance on behalf of victims of domestic violence.
The Women’s Empowerment Champion Award was presented by Courteney Cox to Avon West Area Sales Leader Kathleen Earle and team member Jennifer Torres, for raising over $300,000 through participation in three Avon Walk for Breast Cancer events in Los Angeles, Colorado and San Francisco.
The Hall of Fame Champion Induction Award was presented by Andrea Jung to Firmenich and its CEO Patrick Firmenich for its extraordinary support and dedication to eradicating breast cancer and domestic violence.
The m.powerment Award, announced by Lauren Conrad presented a new m.powerment grant of $50,000 to The New York City Healthy Relationship Training Academy, run by the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.
The Voice of Courage Award which honors those who lend their voices to speak out for those who cannot was presented by Suze Orman to Sapphire, author of Push and Paula Patton, actress in “Precious.”
[MARI DAVIS]
Alex
It’s really a great news for holding such a honorable program by Avon Products Inc. Let’s fight against to benefit breast cancer and domestic violence. Thanks Avon once again for such a huge charity.