Thank you to our Big Sisters and Little Sisters, Host Committee, Board of Directors, and Boston’s corporate, community, and philanthropic leaders for a night to remember. Photo by Matt Teuten. Click here to view more photos from the event.
Big Sister Association of Greater Boston honored philanthropist Elaine Schuster Saturday night, November 12th, at our 60th anniversary bash at the Museum of Fine Arts with the theme, Every Girl, a Masterpiece. Chelsea Clinton was on-hand to help celebrate Mrs. Schuster’s award, and commemorate our 60 years of serving girls in Greater Boston.
Believe in Girls honoree Elaine Schuster with Special Guest Chelsea Clinton. Photo by Yuri Vaysgant.
Dinner kicked off with a Flash Mob comprised of staff members dancing the crowd from cocktail hour to dinner, through the Museum’s Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Courtyard. The all-star crowd, including Attorney General Martha Coakley, Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Mayor Thomas Menino, State Treasurer Steve Grossman, Sheriff Andrea Cabral, State Representative William "Smitty" Pignatelli, and State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, was treated to an elegant dinner party, designed by event guru Bryan Rafanelli
and his team.
Big Sister Flash Mob at Big in Boston
Chelsea Clinton captivated the audience as she shared the inspirational story of her late grandmother, who transformed from childhood abandonment to mother of the 2008 presidential candidate Hilary Clinton, and mentor to many throughout her life.
Elaine Schuster, presented with the Believe in Girls (B.I.G.) award for her philanthropy and personal dedication to the healthy development of girls, thanked the audience for coming saying that, for her, “the night was about celebrating the importance of giving back, celebrating the community and recognizing the work of an exceptional organization.”
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by Big Sister, an organization that has had such an important and positive impact on the lives of young women throughout the city of Boston.”
In one highlight of the evening, thirty Little Sisters were treated to a private moment with Chelsea Clinton, when she and Elaine Shuster met with the girls before the program began. Without knowing of Clinton’s change in script, Little Sister Mickaella offered Clinton a condolence card in honor of her grandmother.
Thirty Little Sisters were treated to a moment with Chelsea Clinton, when she and Elaine Shuster met with the girls before the program began. Photo by Matt Teuten.
The most moving portion of the night came during remarks given by Former Little Sister Lianne Hughes. Hughes told the crowd of 500:
If you believe in girls, and believe that every girl in this room is a masterpiece, you’re not just believing in the organization; you're believing in a better individual, community, society and world as a whole. Because Big Sister is not just about the “neighborhood girl from around the way” it’s about every young girl all over the world.
The evening raised more than $850,000 for Big Sister Association, which will go toward our mission of serving the girls of Greater Boston.
