On October 25, Lin-Manuel Miranda was honored at the Dominican Women’s Development Center’s 30th Anniversary Gala at Grand Hyatt New York.
Check out all the photos from the night in our Gallery.
[EDIT] Added, under the cut, a report of the night shared by Times Square Chronicles.
The Dominican Women’s Development Center last week gathered for an incredible night honoring composer, lyricist, and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, and other notables, including the lovely philanthropist Jean Shafiroff.
On Thursday October 25, the largest independent Dominican founded organization in the United States, held their 30th Anniversary Gala at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The soiree raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fund the center’s diverse programs for Latina women and families of the Washington Heights community.
Attendees gathered to see Dr. Casilda Balmaceda, Board-Certified Neurologist and CEO of Neurology Associates, presented with the Healthcare Leadership Award; Jean Shafiroff, Author and Philanthropist, was presented with the Outstanding Philanthropy Award; Daniel Kern, NYPD Police Officer, was presented with the Honorable Service Award; Marisol Martinez, Vice President, Channel Relationship Marketing, Charter Communications, was presented with the Visionary in Strategic Marketing and Communication Award; Jomari Goyso, Designer, Beauty Expert and Hairstylist, was presented with the Lifestyle Breakthrough Award; and Maria Terrero, Family Services Coordinator, Early Head Start, DWDC, was presented with the Founders Award.
Lin-Manuel Miranda came to the stage and joked, “I love Dominican women so much I married one,” before applauding the work of the DWDC for always “lifting up the community.” Throughout the evening, the DWDC also recognized exceptional individuals and corporations that have made their mark.
An auction was then held, where people bid on luxury handbags including one by Oscar de la Renta, vacations and art work donated by Kate Shin from the Waterfall Mansion – where one of the bids was for $37,000.
The Gala Chairs were Luz Miranda-Crespo and Sabine Poisson. The Gala Benefit Committee was Annette Malloy, Luz Bermudez, Maritza Santiago, Karen Kelley, Fermin Espinosa, Petra Cruz, Michelle Ester, Brenda Scott, and Rosita Romero.
The mission of DWDC is to empower all women and communities to advance gender equality and social justice. Since 1998 and with an uncompromised resolve, the DWDC has made tremendous strides to fulfil its mission to empower all women and communities to advance gender equality and social justice. Fueled by an unrelenting quest to see families and individuals realize their potential, the DWDC has been a compassionate source of hope and inspiration to countless women, children and households through programs and services that restore their dignity and self-esteem while encouraging the pursuit of possibilities far beyond their personal circumstance and socioeconomic conditions.
To continue to donate to Dominican Women’s Development Center go to dwdc.org/donate.