The special afternoon featured an engaging conversation with Diana L. Taylor, Vice Chair of the New York Women’s Foundation, and ABC World News’ Diane Sawyer concerning the NYWF and the current needs of New York City’s women. With an introduction by NYWF President and CEO, Ana L. Oliveira, Sawyer expressed her excitement to be amongst individuals “who have chosen to believe that the intervention in one life can change the world,” as Taylor confirmed, detailing the Foundation’s dedication to helping women acquire the tools to better their lives.

Taylor went on to explain how she came to the Foundation, as the guest of a friend at the NYWF Annual Celebrating Women Breakfast nearly seven years ago— Taylor was profoundly moved by “the room of 2,500 women with tears streaming down their faces” as they learned about, and celebrated, the work of the Foundation. At the close of the conversation, Sawyer asked Taylor to name her personal inspiration, to which Taylor explained Sawyer’s impressive media career, “rising to the top in man’s world,” has served as both an inspiration to
 herself and others.

When Taylor asked the news anchor what was her inspiration, Diane Sawyer quipped, “Erma Bombeck”. Turning serious about the need for women’s solidarity, she then went on to tell of an interesting observation, “When geese fly, they fly in a strict formation which allows them to actually get to their destination faster. When they go off on their own it takes a lot longer”.

The New York Women’s Foundation is a cross-cultural alliance of women catalyzing partnerships and leveraging human and financial capital to achieve sustained economic security and justice for women and girls— as Taylor explained, an organization of “women in New York City helping other women.”

Following the dialogue, host Jean Shafiroff expressed her gratitude for the Foundation and its incredible efforts and encouraged guests to remember to thank their mentors and become a mentor to a young woman as well, working together to inspire change.

When asked by a guest how she became involved with NYWF, Jean Shafiroff said, "A number of years ago a woman by the name of Gayle Atkins introduced me to NYWF, where I met Ana Oliveira and Diana Taylor. I also met some of the other women who are very, very active...and found out more about what they do--I love the mission, and feel that women need to support other women and help our society improve itself, and this charity is doing all of the above."

The NYWF Dinner – Stepping Out and Stepping Up
 – will recognize New Yorkers who serve as role models and demonstrate courageous leadership, vision and commitment to women and girls.

This year, the Foundation is honoring Agnes Gund
as well as Grace Hightower De Niro and Robert De Niro
on December 1, 2010 at New York City’s Gotham Hall. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and dancing.

The New York Women’s Foundation funds organizations and programs within the five boroughs of New York City that have developed strategies to move low-income women and girls towards long-term economic security. While the Foundation supports direct service programs, it has a strong interest in community organizing and advocacy strategies in order to bring about meaningful and sustainable institutional change. The Foundation seeks programs that aim to change policies and systems, build community, foster collaborations, enhance leadership skills and knowledge, and encourage program participants to become more engaged members of their communities.

The Foundation is particularly interested in supporting organizations and programs that apply gender, racial, economic and social justice lenses to their work and express an understanding and willingness to work towards eradicating the root causes of poverty.  , and that explicitly take into account strategies to achieve equity and fairer policies for communities marginalized by gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, religion, and immigration or citizenship status.