In 1987, a small group of visionary women from diverse backgrounds joined forces to found The New York Women’s Foundation. Their goal was to identify and fund community organizations in New York City run by and for women whose programs assisted low-income women and girls in need of critical services and economic independence. The next spring, The Foundation held its first Celebrating Women Breakfast in a crowded church hall where $50,000 was awarded to our first 4 grantee partners.

Today, the New York Women’s Foundation’s annual Breakfast is the premiere fundraising event for women of consciousness with 2,400 attendees standing with women and girls in New York City.

However, as anyone who has ever been at a Breakfast will tell you it is not about the numbers. The Breakfast is about honoring the strength and courage of our grantee partners, who find groundbreaking solutions to seemingly intractable problems. The Breakfast is about honoring the visionary women who serve as role models, leaders and philanthropists. And last, but certainly not least, the Breakfast is about honoring our Board, Alumnae and volunteers, whose courage and fierce determination sustain and inspire us to keep moving forward.

THE AWARDS

Celebrating Women Award: Given to a woman whose significant achievements have influenced the lives of – and provided a role model for – women and girls.

Vision Award: Given to a strategic philanthropist whose contributions are directed towards women and girls.

Century Award: Honors a woman leader whose social activism, strategic philanthropy and work on behalf of low-income women spans many decades

THE CWB WALKING STICK AWARD

“I am proud to have this fabulous walking stick – (laughter) – which I will try to put to good use – either leaning on it or wielding it for whatever is the better purpose.” Hillary Rodham Clinton on receiving her CWB Walking Stick Award.

The idea for the walking stick came from Youth Empowerment Mission, Inc. (YEM)*, one of our grantee partners, who suggested we give the women we honor this classic symbol of wisdom, strength and forward motion. Since 2007, young women in YEM’s Blossom Program for Girls have used their talent and ingenuity to decorate each stick with words, symbols and pictures that signify the contribution made by the woman being honored. The sticks, made from locally harvested wood, symbolize the trailblazing role of the women whom we honor, as well as the energy, creativity and enterprise of our grantee partners.

*Founded in 1995, YEM is a community-based organization serving the critical needs of young people living in Bedford-Stuyvesant and the surrounding communities of Central Brooklyn. 

2014 Award Recipients

Past Award Recipients

 Previous Award Recipients 

Past Programs: 

• 2014 Program
• 2013 Program