United Way NYC Celebrates Women United Power Of Women To Make A Difference 16th Annual Awards Luncheon

This year’s luncheon benefited UWNYC’s ReadNYC program and honored Debra-Ellen Glickstein, Founding Executive Director of NYC Kids RISE and Cheryl McKissack Daniel, President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack. 

UWNYC’s much-anticipated 16th Annual Women United Power of Women to Make a Difference Awards Luncheon returned for an in-person event at Ziegfeld Ballroom on March 15 and played host to over 400 female leaders from throughout the New York City metropolitan area. 

“It was wonderful to have our Women United members gather in person together,” said Eric McDonnell, Interim CEO of United Way of New York City. “Women United members have always been valued leaders and supporters of our ReadNYC education initiative. Our 16th Annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Awards Luncheon was an inspiring time to reflect on the importance of our work in the communities we serve and the empowered female leaders who are helping us make an impact.” 

Women United Power Of Women To Make A Difference Group Photo. Image Credit – UWNYC

The event raised over $934,000 for ReadNYC, which will continue to support programs like Once Upon a School Year, an extended day educational initiative that offers up to 120 additional hours of learning time with certified teachers, activities and social engagement, meals and snacks, and culturally relevant resources for students in participating schools. 

The Power of Women to Make a Difference Awards Luncheon also highlights the community-driven and barrier-breaking work of female leaders in New York City. This year’s honorees were Debra-Ellen Glickstein, Founding Executive Director of NYC Kids RISE and Cheryl McKissack Daniel, President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack, the nation’s oldest female and minority led construction and design firm. Both women spoke to the luncheon’s 2022 theme of women’s empowerment.  

 “Women’s empowerment, to me, means universal childcare, paid sick leave, and first-rate public housing,” said Debra-Ellen Glickstein, Founding Executive Director of NYC Kids RISE. “We are supporting women’s empowerment by working together to support each other’s families. We are making a statement [to women] that you are not all on your own to figure this out.” 

“That is exactly why I am expanding my brand and speaking to women across the country to tell women of the lucrative career experience they can have in construction,” added Cheryl McKissack Daniel, President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack. “Only two percent of businesses in New York City are owned by Black females, and I am making it my charge to change that.” 

This annual event continues to delight guests each year, thanks in large part to sponsors like JPMorgan Chase & Co. and ServiceNow. “JPMorgan Chase is proud to support programs like Women United and UWNYC’s ReadNYC initiative that share our mission to bring the tools and resources that every family needs to achieve financial stability. Through our Women on the Move program, we embrace the ReadNYC approach to reach girls from an early age by empowering them with educational opportunities that will support their long-term success and financial knowledge,” said Sam Saperstein, Head of Women on the Move at JPMorgan Chase & Co. These sponsorships reflect the importance of UWNYC’s cross sector partnerships working together for the benefit of all New Yorkers in need. 

Women United Power Of Women To Make A Difference Luncheon. Image Credit – United Way NYC

United Way Of NYC

United Way of New York City helps to mobilize our communities to break down barriers and build opportunities that improve the lives of low-income New Yorkers for the benefit of all.