19 minute read
Society
ANA L. OLIVEIRA
THE PHILANTHROPIST JEAN SHAFIROFF INTERVIEWS ANA L. OLIVEIRA, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE NEW YORK WOMEN’S FOUNDATION
By Jean shafiroff
Tell us about The New York Women’s Foundation.
The New York Women’s Foundation’s mission is to create an equitable and just future for all women and girls. We’ve been investing in women-led, innovative and bold, community-based solutions for almost 35 years now. By the end of 2021, we will reach the major milestone of over $100 million awarded to more than 500 grassroots organizations igniting change across New York City and beyond. Yet through it all, our mission has never changed — we steadfastly support women’s leadership and economic security.
What has the last year taught us about women’s leadership and resilience? What has inspired you?
Through the disruption of our usual way of living, we realized how important women are to the economy and in sustaining families. From the workforce to their own communities and families, women play a key role and must have competent support in these areas. At the foundation, we’re committed to building forward and advancing sustainable solutions that build the power and economic security of women.
I constantly am inspired by the resilience and ability of women to speak their truth and create innovative ways to solve problems and advance justice. At the center of our work are our grantee partners, and we follow their lead. The foundation is a proud supporter of organizations that were a safe space and sounding board for women over the past year, as they advanced solutions including direct cash assistance to the communities and workers who were severely impacted.
What opportunities are there for women in the workforce going forward?
We have an incredible opportunity to not return to the status quo of what was, but to build back a world that is more equitable and just for all. Due to the strains of the past year, many women were forced to leave the workforce, and are not reentering at the same rate as men. To support women in living safe lives and building their economic security, it is necessary that we advance and advocate sustainable solutions such as equal pay, flexibility of schedule, affordable care-giving, and creating safe and affirming work environments free from sexual harassment and bias. The health of our economy and communities depends on it.
What does the future of philanthropy look like? How can we promote a spirit of collective giving?
Philanthropy often lags behind social movements. The future of philanthropy is found by following the lead of our grantee partners and the communities they serve. The foundation is committed to
Adrienne Becker, Rachel Gould, Rebecca Seawright, Jean Shafiroff, Dr. Mary Bassett, Alyssa Milano, Tarana Burke, Lola West, Ana Oliveira attend The New York Women’s Foundation Radical Generosity Gala
being an early investor and long-term partner of organizations by engaging in the conversation from day one and cultivating the next generation of leaders. We achieve this by actively listening to our partners and bringing people to the table early and often. It is essential that we tap into our communities at a deeper level and hear from the voices that our work most directly impacts as we often find solutions in the same place where systematic problems occur. Our work is only made possible by our generous donors and supporters who understand this need and show up on a continual basis. Jean, we thank you for being a board member, long-term donor, and advocate for us. It is people like you who help make our work possible.
The only way to make impactful and lasting change is to be a part of it. No matter at what level you give, we can promote a spirit of collective giving when we come together to support the leaders and women already working to make a difference.
How can our readers learn more and donate to The New York Women’s Foundation?
The best way to learn about our work is by going to our website: nywf.org. Then, of course, come to some of our events or join one of our committees.
ABOUT ANA L. OLIVEIRA Ana L. Oliveira has been a voice and force for change in improving the lives of those people in the greatest need for more than 30 years. As president and CEO, she leads the New York Women’s Foundation mission to create an equitable and just future for women and families. Oliveira has increased the foundation’s annual grantmaking from $1.7 million to more than $8 million today. Under Oliveira’s leadership, the foundation has been a pioneer in igniting many cultural justice movements of today, including #MeToo, the closing of Rikers Island, and the NYC Fund for Girls and Young Women of Color. She has also led critical cross-sectoral partnerships to advance women’s rights. Prior to the New York Women’s Foundation, Oliveira’s career focused on issues surrounding substance abuse, HIV/ AIDS, and incarceration.
ABOUT JEAN SHAFIROFF Jean Shafiroff — philanthropist, humanitarian, advocate, TV host, and the author of Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give — is a volunteer leader of several charitable causes. She serves on several charity boards: American Humane, Southampton Hospital Association, NYC Mission Society, French Heritage Society, Couture Council of The Museum at FIT, Global Strays, the New York Women’s Foundation, The Jewish Board (honorary trustee), and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (honorary board). In addition, she is an ambassador for American Humane and the national spokesperson for its Feed the Hungry Covid-19 program. She is also an ambassador for the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. Jean has been honored by countless charities, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, NYC Mission Society, and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, to name a few. Jean is the producer and host of the TV show Successful Philanthropy, which airs six times a week through LTV studios in East Hampton and several times a week on Sun20TV in Southampton. It also airs on MNN in NYC every Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. Jean holds two degrees: a BS in Physical Therapy from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School at Columbia University.
BRIDGEHAMPTON CHILD CARE CENTER
RAISES 50K FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS
By Christine Montanti
In a high-income community on the East End where, for most, privilege is a given, Bonnie Michelle Cannon’s desire to help underprivileged families is undeniably commendable. As the Executive Director of the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center — (BCCRC), Cannon is personally invested in her students’ success. Her unique approach assisting marginalized families obtain critical personal and educational resources is unsurpassed. Through the Center, Ms. Cannon is instrumental in creating innovative programs, and with her educational team helps to meet basic needs of their clients while also offering specialized services. Unfortunately, many disadvantaged families in the East End community are still in desperate need of food and services. Prior to the pandemic, the foundation’s food pantry was serving 70 families per week; today post-COVID, they are serving 700 families and desperately need community support.
Cannon, who has been with BCCRC for 13 years, says the Center has evolved tremendously. “In order to be successful for the children, I have to be involved with each individual family and the entire community.” As a result of the children’s specific needs, Cannon has created and launched various programs such as the Latinix Program which teaches English and Spanish for translation purposes and “Teach Me How to Fish,” a high-skilled work force training program. In addition, an important member of the Center’s educational team is a substance misuse activist. Cannon explains, “Most of my clients that come here are black and brown families; they are single working mothers or are dysfunctional families and ones with substance abuse issues. These are the people I service. We are much more than just a childcare center. We are a historically black community-based organization, and our mission is to serve all East End marginalized children and families.”
Actress Christine Evangelista, who currently stars in AMC ‘s hit TV show Fear the Walking Dead, resides in Bridgehampton and sits on the advisory board of BCCRC. The Hollywood actress, who portrays Sherry on AMC’s post- apocalyptic horror drama series is known for her TV and film roles on The Arrangement, The Walking Dead and Bleed for This, spends her free time promoting the Center’s mission. When she is not filming, the native New Yorker enjoys raising awareness and funds for the Center’s less fortunate families. Evangelista hosted BCCRC’s annual CARe Wash event this summer which raised 50k for families in need.
Don Lemon, Bonnie Michelle Cannon Christine Evangelista, Joey Wölffer
Evangelista credits the Center with being much more than an after-school program, one that also teaches life skills and helps to prepare its clients for the future. “They help families with financial planning and help students obtain college scholarships. These kids are amazing, and even watching them today at this event, they are so “hands on.”
Also in attendance at the CARe Wash Event was Michael Davies the President and CEO of Embassy Row, a New York City-based television production company that is a unit of Sony Pictures Television. Davies, a British television producer known for developing TV personalities such as Jimmy Kimmel of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Andy Cohen of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, is also the producer of several American hit TV shows including the popular game shows, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and The Newlywed Game and is co-host of the NBC show Men in Blazers. The founder of Embassy Row sits on the advisory board of the BCCRC foundation with Evangelista, his significant other. This energetic duo resides together in the charming seaside village and appreciates helping underprivileged families in the community. Davies explains, “The Center just runs this amazing program caring for about 500 families in the wealthiest zip codes in the country, and they take care of these families from birth and help with really everything in their lives.”
Evangelista goes on to say, “Both Michael and I want to invest locally in our community. In the past year, we really put the pedal to the medal and have been working closely with the Center. One thing we learned from the pandemic is we have the power to do things, and it is important to act locally. Here, in one of the wealthiest places in the world, the line for the food pantry during the pandemic was down the block, so Michael and I really felt the need to do things to help out.”
Also in attendance at the 2nd annual CARe Wash event was CNN Journalist Don Lemon who showed up to support the cause as well as Joey Wolffer, board member of BCCRC, who donates her free time to assist the foundation in its mission.
Christine Montanti, Bonnie Michelle Cannon, Christine Evangelista
The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center has been in existence since its inception in 1954 and is situated on farmland that was donated to the Center. After a tragic accident in the 1940’s when a migrant campfire killed two children of seasonal workers, a farmer donated six acres of property to create the foundation. Cannon describes the programs this unique child-care center offers. “We start with our babies. We have a pre -K program for our 3 to 5-year olds, and we have an after-school program that is for our 5-yearolds to teens.” BCCRC also has a teen program that is called D.R.E.A.M. Teens, which stands for dedication, responsibility, education, attitude, and motivation. “Many of the people that we work with don’t know anything about going to college or the college admission process. We have a college prep-program where I offer one-on-one counseling, and I work with the families and the kids.” With the help of Cannon and her educational team, one of the Center’s students, Christian, received a full scholarship to Buffalo State College. Christian was raised by his single mom and comes from a family of two. His story is just one which demonstrates the positive and powerful impact the Center has had on the lives of many people who have walked through its doors.
u To support the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center’s mission please visit:
info@bccrc.org Instagram @the_bridgehampton_center
SOCIAL SAFARI
By r. Couri hay with photography By patriCK MCMullan
MET GALA, ANGEL BALL, WATERMILL, SOFO, GALLERY HOUSE, LUV MICHAEL, CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY, ASPEN ART FAIR, GALERIE GMURZYNSKA
Reminiscence Hugh Jackman stars with Rebecca Ferguson and Thandiwe Newton in the exciting sci-fi thriller Reminiscence, directed by the Westworld co-creator Lisa Joy. Jackman said, “I’ve been married for 25 years, so clearly I like being directed by a woman.” In theaters and on HBO Max. Rebecca Ferguson, Hugh Jackman, Thandiwe Newton
Suicide Squad 2 Pete Davidson made his movie debut in Suicide Squad 2 as the villain Blackguard. Sadly, his comical character dies 10 minutes in. Davidson was so hopped up about his role he even rented out a movie theater on Staten Island so fans could watch for free. The
Pete Davidson, Margot Robbie film also stars Margot Robbie and John Cena. “Bring a change of pants. Because you’re not ready,” said Cena. In theatres and on HBO Max.
Met Gala In America: A Lexicon of Fashion Billie Eilish, Timothée Chalamet, Amanda Gorman, and Naomi Osaka co-chair this year’s Met Gala. Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri, and Anna Wintour are the event’s honorary chairs. Eleanor Lambert, the legendary fashion publicist, started the Met Gala in 1948 to raise funds for the department. The gala, New York’s answer to the Oscars, has raised over $186 million since Wintour took over from Diana Vreeland in 1995. The Costume Institute will present a two-part exhibition titled In America: A Lexicon of Fashion and In America: An Anthology of Fashion. These shows celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Costume Institute, a collection of over 33,000 items sampling fashion from the 15th century to the present.
Anna Wintour Costume Center The Met Gala on September 13 marks the opening of part one of the exhibition, which features 80 individual ensembles that define American fashion, on display in the Anna Wintour Costume Center. Part two is a collaboration of The Costume Institute and the American Wing, which explores the development of fashion throughout history in the United States, opening May 5, 2022.
metmuseum.org
Intersect Aspen, The Art Fair Coming back to Aspen is like visiting a cherished friend, albeit several of my favorite spots and people are no longer there. First, I miss the late Harley Baldwin, aka “The Mayor of Aspen,” who for decades was one of the prime reasons Aspen became a jet-set destination because of the private Caribou Club he founded in 1990. The ’bou is still going strong 31 years later. Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn’s daughter, even got married here. Harley, an accomplished skier, dancer, and bon vivant also opened the Baldwin Gallery, still the town’s top art space. On my visit to Aspen’s Intersect Art Fair, Harley’s partner, Richard Edwards, opened a stunning show at the gallery by Will Cotton, featuring pink horses and cowboys. Who else would tell you these things? Over at the fair, Isabelle Bscher’s Galerie Gmurzynska won pride of place and sold works by Picasso and Miró for seven figures. She also had works by Louise Nevelson, Yves Klein, Wifredo Lam, and Zaha Hadid. Isabel and her mother, Krystyna Gmurzynska, hosted a chic dinner at Casa Tua for the crème de la crème of the art world. Also in town were Chase Bank’s Jamie Dimon, Hamptons habitués Andrea and John Stark, and the entrepreneur Chris Brown, among others too private to mention. N’est-ce pas? gmurzynska.com Check out my Aspen travel story in this issue.
Angel Ball A rocking Flo Rida raised the roof at Denise Rich’s sizzling Angel Ball for cancer research. Brock Pierce was the benefit’s honorary chair along with Mary J. Blige and Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch. The gala’s honorees were Elon Musk’s mother, the model Maye Denise & Gabrielle Rich Musk, and the designer Simone I. Smith. Supporters included Star Jones, Daniella Rich Kilstock, Henry Buhl, Ilona Rich Schachter, Alan Cumming, Michele and Frank Rella, Marc Leder, Janna Bullock, and Lambay Irish Whiskey’s CEO Kevin Richards. The twenty-two-year-old Swedish socialite Sofie Mahlkvist flew in from London to make her New York début at the ball. The event was a tribute to the memory of Denise’s daughter Gabrielle Rich Aouad who tragically passed away from leukemia at the age of 27. The organization has raised $37 million over the last 20 years. gabriellesangels.org
SOFO Susan and David Rockefeller, John Paulson, and Jean Shafiroff were among the supporters of the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center’s (SOFO) 32nd anniversary benefit, “The Journey Forward: Reconnecting Through Nature,” in Bridgehampton. The event was hosted by Andrew Sabin, aka Salamander Commander, who founded the organization in 1988 to protect and educate people on the state of the ecosystem. The event honored Kim and Greg Lippmann, Dr. Indy Burke, Michael B. Gerrard, and Kerry Heffernan. Hosts included Carole Crist, Dottie Herman, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Diana Aceti. Also in the mix were Dick Grasso, Trammell Crow, Anke and Jürgen Friedrich, and Jason Belkin of Hampton Coffee Company. The fun party was catered by Andrea Correale’s Elegant Affairs. sofo.org
Watermill Center Nona Hendryx performed at CROSSROADS: The Watermill Center summer festival. The event included installations, spiritual practices, and performances throughout the 10-acre grounds to radiate ritual healing and hope. The festival began with a performance titled A Hole in the Sky by Laurie Anderson and Shane Weeks. The avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson founded Watermill Center in 1992, a campus that offers artists year-round residencies. Wilson said, “One of the few things that will remain of this time is what artists are doing. They are the journal and the diary of our time.” watermillcenter.org
Sofie Mahlkvist
Jean Shafiroff, Dottie Herman, Brock Pierce, Carole Crist (Rob Rich / SocietyAllure.com) Gallery House Anne Heche and her date, the skincare mogul Peter Thomas Roth, toured the Galerie House of Art and Design in Sag Harbor. Lisa Fayne Cohen the founder and editor of Galerie magazine, hosted the stellar opening party that benefited the construction of the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s East Hampton Emergency Department. galeriemagazine.com
Anne Heche, Peter Thomas Roth
LUV Michael Boyz II Men artists Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris partied at Michael Pitsinos’s NAIA at the Capri Southampton, where the crowd serenaded the singers with their hit “One Sweet Day.” StockWanya Morris, Vanessa Coppes, Michael Pitsinos, Shawn Stockman man launched Micah’s Voice to benefit children with autism after his son Micah was diagnosed with the condition. He discussed partnering with LUV Michael, a charity the NAIA’s owner supports by employing young adults with autism in the kitchen and as service staff helping the hot spot overcome labor shortages on the East End. Pitsinos said, “The chance to partner with Shawn on our shared mission to bring awareness to autism-spectrum disorder and bring aid to the families impacted is a dream come true.” luvmichael.com Central Park Conservancy The nonprofit dedicated to restoring and maintaining NYC’s beloved Central Park, will celebrate its 40th anniversary on September 27 in the Conservatory Garden. Honorees will include Kate & Andrew Davis, Judy & Russ Carson, Kitty Patterson, Tom Kempner, and Alice Gottesman. The event will focus on The Harlem Meer Outdoor Center, the capstone project of a 40-year operation to restore the park. The goal is to accommodate swimming, skating, and hockey programs. The facility, which will be built into the natural surroundings of the park, will hopefully be open in 2024, just in time for pool season.
centralparknyc.org
THE FLOOD SISTERS
By rolise raChel
Jennifer, Heather, and Cynthia Flood
In 2008, the sisters Jennifer, Heather, and Cynthia Flood founded The Flood Sisters Kidney Foundation, in Chappaqua, New York. This was in response to their father’s need for a kidney transplant. No one in his family was a suitable donor, so the only option then available was to hope he’d find a match via the national waiting list. But the Flood sisters embarked on a mission to save their father’s life, so that he didn’t have to spend years on dialysis and be on the brink of constant renal failure.
“Many chronic renal candidates think there is no hope for them. Our dad felt the same way until we researched. Then the three of us knew that there was hope out there and collectively as a family we were determined to find it. The more we raise awareness, the less need there will be for a waiting list,” says Jennifer Flood.
The mission of the Flood Sisters Kidney Foundation is to inspire people to become living donors, aka altruistic donors, for those in need and to encourage kidney patients to use nontraditional means of reaching suitable living donors. Through an aggressive program, the foundation is tirelessly spreading the word that a kidney from a living donor is most likely a more suitable match than a cadaveric kidney, which has a higher incidence of infection.
According to Jennifer Flood, “It is only through courage, persistence, hope, and love that we can start saving lives together. Over 3,000 people are listed daily, that is one person every nine seconds that is diagnosed with kidney disease or failure. Living donors shorten the time it takes to receive a kidney and at least one in three in the Unite States are living donors.”
The Flood Sisters floodsisterskidneyfnd.org
REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST
Planting Fields is a magnificent Gold Coast estate from the 1920s, which survives today as a statement about art, architecture, and landscape. Located in Oyster Bay, New York and originally landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers, the grounds feature 409 acres of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths and outstanding plant collections.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ON WEDDINGS OR FILM SHOOTS AND LEARN ABOUT EXHIBITIONS, PROGRAMS, EVENTS, TOURS & MORE
PLANTINGFIELDS.ORG
