15th Annual Hope Awards Dinner to Celebrate Women’s Empowerment
Calvary Women’s Services will host the 15th Annual Hope Awards Dinner on May 18, 2016 and celebrate the accomplishments of women who overcome homelessness and empower one another to reach their goals. All proceeds from the event will support Calvary’s housing, health, education and employment programs for women who are homeless. More than 300 guests from diverse backgrounds and sectors of the region are anticipated to be part of this exciting night for women in our community.
Erica May-Scherzer will be presented with the Hope Award and deliver a keynote address as part of the evening. Erica is an activist, feminist, social justice and human rights advocate who works with nonprofit organizations around the U.S. As an ambassador for Polaris, she advocates on Capitol Hill for the integration of human trafficking into a variety of policies.
Erica has played an active, philanthropic role in the community since moving to the DC region with her husband Max Scherzer, pitcher for the Washington Nationals. Last year she rallied Washington Nationals spouses to support the team’s annual “Night OUT” event – the largest LGBT Community Night in professional sports. She also spearheaded a women’s empowerment program at the Nationals’ Youth Baseball Academy, which held its first event in August 2015.
“I am extremely honored to receive the Hope Award and also have the opportunity to speak at the upcoming 15th Annual Hope Awards Dinner,” said Erica. “I truly believe in Calvary Women’s Services’ cause and appreciate all they do to empower homeless women in the local DC community. I look forward to helping with their housing programs and serving as a volunteer.”
Kris Thompson, Calvary’s executive director, said, “Erica’s dedication to women’s empowerment, human rights and community building perfectly complements Calvary’s work, and makes her a fitting recipient of the Hope Award. We are delighted to recognize her at the Hope Awards Dinner alongside other strong women in our community.”
The Hope Awards Dinner will be held in the Atrium Ballroom of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception. Giselle Hidalgo-Gato, mixologist at Jose Andres’ China Chilcano, will prepare and serve specialty cocktails. The event continues with a silent auction followed by dinner, live auction and presentation of the Hope Award.
MGAC is the Presenting Sponsor of the 15th Annual Hope Awards Dinner. The event is sponsored by American Airlines, Battelle Memorial Institute, Sigma Health Consulting, LLC and Walmart, in addition to many other organizations and individuals.
Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased at http://bit.ly/2016hope. For additional information about Calvary Women’s Services or the Hope Awards Dinner, please contact Amanda Griesser at (202) 678-2341 ext. 223 or agriesser@calvaryservices.org.