We’re in a galvanizing time for women in America. Women are running for office, raising their voices, and speaking up against injustices. The Women’s Media Center was founded by Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, and Robin Morgan on that principle - to help raise the visibility and decision making power of women in media and ensure their voices are heard. One of my own missions in sharing my own story has been to promote health and wellness, to raise awareness about challenges that are sometimes overlooked. It’s refreshing to know that there are organizations like WMC who believe in supporting awareness among women.

I was honored to be invited by Loreen Arbus, CEO of her own media production company, advocate for disabilities, and philanthropist on behalf of many causes. It was the beginning of a night with many surprises in store. I got to meet one of my idols, Gloria Steinem, who has paved the way for so many women in speaking up for women’s rights.

With Loreen Arbus, advocate, philanthropist, and media guru.

The night honored outstanding women leaders in media, including Lisa Borders - former head of the WNBA and new leader of the #TimesUp movement, Fatima Goss Graves - who heads up the National Women’s Law Center and has also been integral to #TimesUp in helping women pursue their cases, Maria Teresa Kumar - who has registered over 250,000 new voters through Voto Latino and is a frequent commentator on MSNBC, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, a national advocate for women, civil and human rights, Cindy Holland, VP of original content at Netflix (she brought the case of Orange is the New Black with her), documentarian Abigail Disney, and two young journalists who resisted censorship at their school newspaper.

WMC Co-founder Jane Fonda discusses the non-profit’s mission.

I also enjoyed meeting Congresswoman Maxine Waters, otherwise known as “Auntie” Maxine, who has been an outspoken advocate for civil and human rights. We talked about the importance of preserving affordable access to healthcare and pre-existing conditions to safeguard the health and well-being of our people.

Of course, it’s women leaders like Julie Burton, president of WMC, who helped bring all of us together on a night like this. It was a night that filled us with hope and reminded us that there are women (and men) who continue to fight for the greater social good. It reminded us that women who once were not invited in the room now have a seat at the table. And though we have a ways to go, we’re getting there.

With Julie Burton, President of the Women’s Media Center.