As Women’s History Month is in full swing, the National Women’s History Museum‘s Annual Women Making History Awards Gala is set to dazzle on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. Expect an inspiring evening as Honorary Chair Meryl Streep honors an extraordinary group of women. An integral part of The Wharf, The Anthem, located in the vibrant Wharf district, provides the perfect backdrop for this celebration.
The Awards will celebrate inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Sara Blakely; Dr. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth”; Shirley Ryan, Advocate for Transformative Research and Education. Mattel, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, will receive the inaugural Evelyn Y. Davis Women Making History Corporate Changemaker Award, accepted by Mattel EVP and Chief Brand Officer Lisa McKnight.
Susan D. Whiting, chair of the NWHM Board of Directors, announced:“We are incredibly proud to be celebrating this incomparable group of honorees at our gala. They have each made indelible contributions to society that will endure for generations to come. We are looking forward to commemorating the remarkable achievements of Sara, Opal, Shirley, and Mattel at what promises to be an inspiring and unforgettable night.”
We take our inspiration from another change maker, entrepreneur, global thought leader, and friend, Cheri Kaufman. In addition to her many other accomplishments and achievements, she is the New York Chair of the National Women’s History Museum. As a founding partner of Kaufman Astoria Studios, she played a pivotal role in establishing Kaufman Astoria Studios as a leading force in New York’s film and television industry.
Cheri is a long-standing and recognized member of New York’s philanthropic community and founder and CEO of CiGIVE, an organization dedicated to empowering enterprising millennials by connecting them with the patronage and support of leaders throughout the business and philanthropic world.
What to wear when the dress code is Black Tie Optional? Men can substitute a suit and tie for a tux, facilitating office to parties without changing attire. Women have more freedom to experiment with a pantsuit, formal separates, and frocks that can be short or long. We chose these ensembles for their playful formality yet classical allure that our nation’s capital suggests.
Hilary and I were both inspired by the Cherry Blossoms on center stage each March in DC. “With spring in the air, I am feeling florals and airy soft pieces for the Gala attire. The long sleeve is feminine and keeps you a bit covered while in the Anthem celebrating these amazing honorees.”
Since its debut in 2012, the Women Making History Awards has honored 65 outstanding women whose remarkable achievements demonstrate the power of possibility, including Maya Angelou, Cokie Roberts, Dolores Huerta, Katherine Johnson, and Viola Davis.
Cheri shares her thoughts on the importance of the National Women’s History Museum: “We created the National Women‘s History Museum, established two decades ago in Washington, D.C., to record, amplify and celebrate the achievements of women whose stories make up truly 50 percent of the Great American Story. The NWHM’s repository of information about the efforts and accomplishments of women is second only to the Library of Congress in its size and accessibility.”
“Through traveling museum exhibits and online data, the National Women’s History Museum is dedicated to shining a light on women trailblazers affirming their place as major players, not footnotes, in the narrative of our nation. We believe, for our daughters — and for our sons — that if you can see it, you can be it!”
Watch Don’t Tell Me I Can’t below …
