On July 20, 2011, the Epstein Becker Green Women's Initiative (WI) partnered with the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) to host a "Night of Giving" cocktail reception at the Yale Club ballroom in New York.
The reception, an opening event for NAWL's 2011 annual meeting, was attended by more than 100 women attorneys from across the country. It benefitted the Young Women's Leadership Network (YWLN), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help young, inner-city women break the cycle of poverty through education and an emphasis on college readiness and college access. The YWLN partners with school districts, parents, and community leaders to create single-gender public schools and college access programs across the country.
Member of the Firm Amy J. Traub welcomed guests on behalf of Epstein Becker Green, noting in particular the bond between NAWL and the WI:
It is through the efforts of the Women's Initiative that Epstein Becker Green was first introduced to NAWL. We stand behind NAWL and have formed our own internal EBG-NAWL Committee to help promote and foster the professional empowerment of women in the law and in the boardroom. We continue to look for ways to support NAWL's efforts, and tonight is just one way that we can do that.
Amy introduced Dorian Denburg, NAWL's President, whose remarks highlighted the organization's involvement with YWLN and the YWLN's impressive record of success in helping disadvantaged young women realize their dreams. Attendees also heard from one of YWLN's students, a rising high school sophomore who has her sights firmly set on college.
Attendees contributed thousands of dollars of school supplies, phone cards, and Target gift cards for college-bound seniors. And the evening offered the opportunity for NAWL members to converse while wrapping journals, writing notes of support, and loading backpacks with the donated items.
The event showcased a generosity of spirit, support, and leadership that epitomizes the WI and NAWL. The women who came to the event, in addition to connecting with each other, also contributed in multiple ways to help smooth the path and to expand the opportunities for our next generation of women leaders. And, as the pictures below demonstrate, everyone had a really good time in the process!
Amy Traub, EBG, begins the program with an introduction of the EBG Women's Initiative
L to R: Michelle Capezza, EBG and Anne Adler Executive Director, Young
Women's Leadership Network
Commander Flora Darpino, and Lieutenant Colonel Mary Card-Mina, United States Army
L to R: Eileen Millett and Michelle Capezza, EBG
Denise Dadika and Jennifer Barna, EBG, wrap the journals that will be placed in the backpacks
L to R: Fran Green, EBG and Dorian Denberg, President of NAWL
L to R: From EBG: Maxine Neuhauser, Denise Dadika, Eileen Millett, Wendy Marcari, Joan Disler, Susan Gross Sholinsky, Fran Green, Linda Bielik, Dotty Rosensweig, Jennifer Barna and Amy Traub, pose with Irsa Khalid, a student at the Young Women's Leadership Network School in Astoria
An inspirational message that will be placed in the journals for the girls
One small batch of completed backpacks