Annual Event

2018 Gala Dinner Highlights

Distinguished Speakers

Sheryl Sandberg

Keynote Speaker

Gabrielle Union

Distinguished Honoree

Rosalind Brewer

Corporate Leader

Kerry Washington

Distinguished Honoree

Debra Ness

National Partnership
President

Sharis Pozen

National Partnership
Board Vice Chair

Video Highlights

Event Photos

Corporate Partner Rosalind Brewer, Distinguished Honoree Gabrielle Union, Keynote
Speaker Sheryl Sandberg, National Partnership Advisor Judy Lichtman, National Partnership
Board Vice Chair Sharis Pozen and National Partnership President Debra Ness

2018 Gala Dinner Crowd

National Partnership's 2018 Gala Dinner

2018 Gala Dinner, Sheryl Sandberg

Keynote Speaker Sheryl Sandberg

2018 Gala Dinner, Debra Ness and Kerry Washington

National Partnership President Debra Ness and Distinguished Honoree Kerry Washington

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Social Highlights

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Event Quotes

"We deserve access to quality, affordable health care, and control over our own bodies. We deserve safety and equality and a fair democracy and full rights of citizenship. But all of that is under threat right now. The current administration is an important reminder that progress can be undone, but, as the National Partnership’s 47-year history demonstrates, the challenges we’re facing predate this administration and persist whether the people in office consider themselves our allies or not. We have to protect the progress we’ve made, even as we fight for more."
— Kerry Washington, Award-Winning Actor, Producer and Social Justice Activist

"Through the battles you’ve waged and won, you’ve established the principle that everyone’s labor should be valued, everyone’s health matters, everyone’s safety and dignity is important. Everyone means everyone. All genders, races, income levels, races, ethnicities and abilities. Everyone deserves health care. Everyone deserves sick leave. Everyone deserves a safe workplace. And everyone deserves a more just and equal world."
— Sheryl Sandberg, Founder of LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook

"Are we really asking ourselves the tough questions, and doing the internal work necessary, to ensure safe, productive, inclusive, happy, equitable workplaces? I know I have a lot of work to do. … I’m asking for help. I am leaning in so much, I might fall over. I hope somebody catches me."
— Gabrielle Union, Celebrated Actor, Producer, Author, Entrepreneur and Women's Rights Advocate

"You envisioned a new kind of workplace that recognized individuals who work and try to balance a family and all of those responsibilities, and you fought to make that workplace a reality for all of us. I’m personally grateful. You did that for me."
— Rosalind Brewer, Group President, Americas and Chief Operating Officer Starbucks Coffee Company

"These times are truly testing us. They conjure up some of the darkest moments in our history. But what is imperative to remember is that what ultimately defines our country going forward is not [the Trump administration’s] shameful actions, it’s how we react to them. The future will be determined by whether we step up and fight back, or whether we put our heads down and wait for the horrors to pass."
— Debra Ness, National Partnership President

Event Video

Our Generous Supporters

2017 Gala Dinner Highlights

A Night to Remember. The 2017 Gala Dinner celebrated honoree U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris. We also welcomed distinguished speakers Petula Dvorak, columnist for The Washington Post, and Ellen Malcolm, National Partnership board chairwoman.
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2016 Gala Dinner Highlights

Vision Becomes Reality. The 2016 Gala Dinner, celebrating our 45 years of accomplishments, was a tremendous success! We were proud to welcome our inspiring honorees — Lifetime Achievement Awardee U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia M. Burwell, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and PwC LLP U.S. Chairman and Senior Partner Robert E. Moritz — and Ellen Malcolm, our emcee, who chairs the National Partnership’s Board of Directors.
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2015 Annual Luncheon Highlights

Women Matter…Equality Matters…We Matter. The 2015 Annual Luncheon celebrated honorees Thomas E. Perez, U.S Secretary of Labor, and Sheila Lirio Marcelo, founder, chairwoman and CEO of Care.com. We also welcomed distinguished speakers Petula Dvorak, columnist for The Washington Post, and Ellen Malcolm, National Partnership board chairwoman.
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2014 Annual Luncheon Highlights

Strong Women…Strong Families…Strong Nation. The 2014 Annual Luncheon celebrated honoree Nancy Pelosi, leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. We also welcomed distinguished speakers Karen Finney, MSNBC contributor and political analyst, and Ellen Malcolm, National Partnership board chairwoman. More

2013 Annual Luncheon Highlights

Celebrating 100,000,000 stories (The Family and Medical Leave Act Turns 20). The 2013 Annual Luncheon celebrated honorees U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Tammy Duckworth and Gwen Moore. We also welcomed distinguished speakers Eun Yang, News4 anchor and reporter, and Ellen Malcolm, National Partnership board chairwoman.
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