This sold-out event held special significance as it celebrated the foundation's 15th anniversary, dedicated to combating violence against women. The overarching theme for the evening was "Strengthening Numbers," with the event serving as a fundraiser to support NGOs actively addressing issues related to violence against women.
The event boasted a live auction, with the iconic Lydia Fanet at the helm, featuring a range of items and experiences from esteemed names like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Breone Pauletta Genori, and others. Original artworks by Emily Yang, One Chekumutu, and Cindy Sherman were also up for auction.
Journalist Lisa Ling took up hosting duties for this year's event, with co-chair positions held by luminaries such as Gloria Steinem, Salma Hayek, Francois-Henry Pinault, Cindy Sherman, Christie Turlington Burns, Olivia Wilde, Oprah Winfrey, Zoe Kravitz, and Malala Yousafzai. The proceeds from the gala went to support organizations actively combating gender-based violence, including the Malala Fund and the National Network to End Domestic Violence, as well as the New York City Alliance Against Assault.
Past attendees of the inaugural Caring for Women New York dinner included notable figures like Emma Watson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Carly Kloss, Kim Kardashian, and Jody Turner Smith. While Meghan Markle counts some of these guests among her close friends, such as Oprah, Gloria Steinem, and Kim Kardashian, her name was conspicuously absent from the guest list.
According to a source, Meghan's absence from the event was attributed to her recent collaboration with Gloria Steinem on various feminist campaigns, which lacked a formal agreement or contract. The source explained that Meghan's mention of running into Gloria in a Vogue article suggested that Gloria wasn't sought after by others, highlighting a perceived disparity in their respective roles within feminism.
While Gloria Steinem is renowned as a prominent writer and advocate in the feminist movement with a well-established position, Meghan's association seemed more opportunistic, driven in part by her royal title. The breakdown in their working relationship consequently led to Meghan being denied the privilege of attending such a significant event in support of women's causes.
Returning to the event itself, guests were treated to a sumptuous feast courtesy of Chef Daniela Soto-Innes. The night featured a spirited auction that managed to raise over three million dollars, concluding with a captivating performance by Florence and the Machine. Given Caring's involvement, an array of prestigious fashion brands, including Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Gucci, made their presence felt on the red carpet.
Oprah Winfrey played a pivotal role at the gala, serving as Salma Hayek Pinault's co-chair. In her opening remarks, she shared her limited outings, emphasizing her love for her own space. Oprah underscored her commitment to using her voice for meaningful and helpful purposes. She went on to deliver an impactful 11-minute speech, reflecting on her hosting of 128 episodes of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" dedicated to the topic of domestic violence.
The auction's proceeds were directed towards supporting three NGOs with a shared mission of combatting gender-based violence: the Malala Fund, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and the New York City Alliance Against Assault.
