On Thursday, July 28, 2016 we held our Fourteenth Annual "Women of Valor" Awards Tea to benefit St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters.

Hosted by Ernie Anastos (Fox 5 NY) the event took place inside the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria New York and honored a distinguished group of women who are leaders in their careers and in their communities. Our 2016 honorees were:

• Keynote Speaker: Melanie Contreras (Founder, Women to Women by Julia)
• Guest of Honor: Claudia Bertolino, (Managing Director, Citco Fund Services USA Inc.)
• Macy's Community Star Award: Dylan Lauren (President, Dylan's Candy Bar)
• Humanitarian Award: Lisa A. Brown, Managing Director, National Director, Local Government Urban Efficiency (Johnson Controls)
• Humanitarian Award: Sara Rubenstein, General Counsel (Simone Development Companies)
• Clarisa Award: Sarah Berman, President (The Berman Group)
• Clarisa Award: Alyson J. Blewett, Director, Business Transition & Movement Management Project Management (CBRE Inc.)

With special thanks to our 2016 Tea Committee: Jacqueline Barr, Gina Rizzo, Linda Neely, Ellen Canny, Lucy Carter, Debra Cole, Amy Fleming, Michelle Marwood, Louise Matthews, Michele Medaglia and Deb van der Heyden.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, our Women of Valor 2015 Keynote Speaker, also attended the empowering afternoon along with over 800 guests and supporters!

Enjoy this event coverage: "Women of Valor 2016" on Social Diary.

Dylan Lauren speaks while receiving her Macys Community Star Award for 2016.	Keynote Speaker, Melanie Contreras of "Women to Women by Julia" with Joe Sano and Fr. Francis Gasparik.
Thank you to FEED and Macy's for our gift bag totes and our awesome sponsors who filled them up!	The always incredible violin ensemble from Mt. Carmel-Holy Rosary School in East Harlem.