Natalia Borges, Anna Rothschild – All photos Lieba Nesis
The Luisa Diaz Foundation held its tenth annual Mi Amor Graciousness (MAG) gala on Wednesday May 15th 2023 at The Plaza Hotel with cocktails beginning at 6:30 PM.
Lynda Lopez
The night was a celebration of kindness with the money raised donated to support survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking through the Safe Passage Heals and Sanctuary for Families organizations: both of which use resources to break the cycle of domestic abuse through empowerment and education.
Jean Shafiroff wearing Jean Shafiroff in Malan Breton
This $1,000 per person dinner, chaired by Noreen Donovan and Brendan Roth, is one of the best buys of the gala season as over 350 people joined for a night of filet mignon, exciting entertainment and a plethora of inspiring stories.
Ten beautiful ladies
“We shall overcome” was the dominant theme as ten beautiful ladies who had been in near- death abusive relationships walked “The Runway of Hope” in designs provided by Anne Fontaine, Chiara Boni and ten-year sponsor Jovani.
Yuliia Faist
The evening was black tie only as presenters Lynda Lopez an Emmy-award winning journalist, joined “Sex and the City” writer Candace Bushnell and former Mrs. Ukraine International Yuliia Faist to introduce the entertainers and honorees and salute Luisa for her tireless efforts.
Chloe Jane and Lucia Hwong Gordon
Luisa’s “kindness is cool” mantra is something she has lived by since her early days in North Carolina hosting “Luisa Su Voz Latina”, the first Spanish language talk show on an English local network.
Consuelo Vanderbilt
Luisa doesn’t just donate funds but also works with victims of domestic abuse in building their self esteem and communication skills and helping them feel worthy of love.
Socialites Nancy Pearson and Pamela Morgan with Elizabeth Steimberg standing
Female empowerment abounded as expert violinist Sarah Charness, along with cabaret performer and event planner Pamela Morgan joined DJ and singer Chloe Jane for one of those showstopping evenings that had attendees on their feet. Honorees Beatriz Gasca and Peter Thomas Roth similarly wowed the crowd with their moving speeches and philanthropic endeavors.
Socialite Alisa Roever, Luisa Diaz and Nikki Haskell
Gasca received her PhD in Social Responsibility and Innovations and the honoris causa title three times for her groundbreaking manual for businesses entitled “Equalizing Opportunities, a path towards inclusion.”
Designer Anne Fontaine
Gasca’s advocacy to end human trafficking while highlighting the global issue of violence against women has led to her receiving awards from Forbes and Richard Branson for her leadership roles in Latin America.
Brendan, Carol and Peter Thomas Roth with Ryan Roth standing
However, it was skin care guru Peter Thomas Roth, whose brand is sold in over 30 countries, accompanied by his 101 year old mother Carol, who moved the audience to tears with his inspiring and lugubrious tale of his mother’s painful childhood during Nazi Germany’s reign. The impact of Roth’s speech was immediate and overwhelming.
Yet once again the fate of the Jews hangs in the balance; however, this time it’s not in Hungary or Germany but the United States of America.
(The opinions expressed by the writer in this article are hers alone and not necessarily those of Lookonline.)
