In the early 1970s, New York Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. At that time, she famously said: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” On Saturday, November 10, Big Sister Boston proved that in the Big Sister community, you don’t need to bring a folding chair because there is a seat for all women and girls. And, through the impact of professionally supported Big and Little Sister relationships and programs that foster women’s and girls’ personal and professional development, we are creating more seats at that table each day.
Four hundred guests joined us for Big in Boston at the Museum of Fine Arts to honor C Space Chairman, Diane Hessan, with the Believe in Girls award. We recognized Diane for her contributions to creating a seat at the table for more women entrepreneurs through her mentorship and investment of time and resources. Big in Boston chair, Board member, and Allen & Gerritsen CEO, Andrew Graff, presented the award to Diane.
Amid the evening’s other highlights were:
- Emcee Lisa Hughes of WBZ-TV/CBS Boston was joined on stage by Little Sister Lillian—who hopes to have Lisa’s job someday.
- Mayor Marty Walsh addressed the challenges still facing women and girls in Boston.
- A video featured Little Sister Jade taking her “seat” at Governor Charlie Baker’s table.
- President and CEO, Deb Re, celebrated women’s achievements of the past year, including historic firsts in last week’s midterm elections, and also performed the “In My Feelings Challenge” dance with Little Sister Joi.
- We celebrated former executive director Jeanne Yozell’s 90th birthday (yes, there was cake!).
- Little Sister Selena and Big Sister of the Year, Claudia Rodriguez, shared a heartfelt story of their 10-year relationship.
- We danced the night away at our Young Professional Board’s After Party!
The program also included a historic first for Big Sister Boston: 10 women—and only women—asked for financial contributions from guests. In an effort to model women and girls standing up and speaking up for what they want, need, and deserve, members of Big Sister Boston’s staff, Diversity Board, Little Sister Board, New Girls Network, and Young Professional Board, as well as Board of Directors Chair, Mariann Youniss, all solicited donations in support of our work and their respective roles in it. Thank you to all who generously gave to the event, from our corporate sponsors to individuals. Together, we are creating a seat at the table for more of Greater Boston’s women and girls.
Click here if you would like to make a gift in support of Big Sister Boston’s work.
Check out more photos on our Facebook page.
Thank you to our chair and host committee:
Andrew Graff, Event Chair
Laura Bronner
Carolyn Clancy
Carey Cort
Jim Gallagher
Nancy Go
Linda Henry
Jill Kravetz
Kathy Kiely
Mark Lund
Kelly McDermott
Sharon McNally
Kerry Swords
Chris Woods
Mariann Youniss
Big thank you to our sponsors:
Visionary Sponsor
Leadership Sponsors
Paul & Sandy Edgerley
Mariann & Andy Youniss
The Yozell Family
Catalyst Sponsors
Allen & Gerritsen
AMAG Pharmaceuticals
Anonymous
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Boston Bruins
C Space
Eastern Bank
Fidelity Investments
Goodwin Procter LLP
HDMS Health Data & Management Solutions
Hinckley Allen
John Hancock
Lewis Family Foundation
Liberty Mutual Insurance
MMB Advertising
Morgan Stanley/Peter & Pattie Bishop/Jon & Allie Bordeau
Partners HealthCare
Putnam Investments
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Joe Realmuto & Paul Korenberg
The Red Sox Foundation
State Street Corporation
Suffolk Cares
Kerry & Brendan Swords
Jean Tempel
Triumph Modular Corporation
Wolf & Company, P.C.
