By: Lidia Evita, Staff Writer for World Liberty TV
The Dominican Women’s Development Center, the largest independent Dominican founded organization in the United States, will hold their 31st Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 at the New York Hilton.
Centre Rosita Romero Executive Director DWDC with 2019 honorees
The gala will raise money to help fund the centers diverse programs for Latina women and families of the Washington Heights community. For the past 30 years DWDC has provided innovative, quality, and meaningful services to contribute to the empowerment of Latina women and their families to transform their lives.
R-L Abbey with Rebecca Seawright NYS Assembly Member Jay Hershenson VP of Communications of Queens College & CUNY Trustee Sandra Wilkin
Honorees: Amara La Negra – Outstanding Artist Award ; Alana Cantillo – Outstanding Communication Award ; Dr. Carmen Garcia Albarran – Outstanding Medical Practioner Award ; Karima Khwaja – Outstanding Media & Marketing Award ; Hope M.Field – Corporate Engagement Award | Mistress of Ceremony: Damaris Diaz | Gala Chairs: Jean Shafiroff, Dr. Casilda Balmaceda | Executive Director – Rosita Romero.
Dr.Abbey with Dr Casilida Balmaceda co-chair & her husband
The mission of DWDC is to empower all women and communities to advance gender equality and social justice. Since 1998 and with an uncompromised resolve, the DWDC has made tremendous strides to fulfil its mission to empower all women and communities to advance gender equality and social justice.
L-R Damaris Diaz Presenting award to Dr Carmen Garcia Albarran
Fueled by an unrelenting quest to see families and individuals realize their potential, the DWDC has been a compassionate source of hope and inspiration to countless women, children and households through programs and services that restore their dignity and self-esteem while encouraging the pursuit of possibilities far beyond their personal circumstance and socioeconomic conditions.
Jean Shafiroff Co-Chair of Event with guests at her table
At their annual events, the DWDC is able to showcase some of the lives they are privileged to shape, and equally ecstatic about recognizing individuals who share our passion for service as well as honoring our selfless organization partners without whom the mission of changing lives cannot be achieved.
Alana Pilar Cantillo 2019 Honoree
Thirty years is not just a DWDC milestone: it is the perfect embodiment of a collective community accomplishment. The DWDC believes in treating all people with dignity and respect, that promoting gender equality is fundamental to social justice, that all people have the right to opportunities and resources that support them in reaching their full potential.
Ny’ Aysia Preseton doing an testimonial
They believe in practicing holistic, culturally sensitive, inclusive and innovative community engagement. They are committed to serving all communities regardless of background gender, race, ethnicity, economic status, age, religion, culture, sexual orientation, or other identities, and believe in the power of advocacy for ourselves and their communities.
Amara La Negra doing a live performance
Close to 300 people were in attendance, the gala started off with a wonderful cocktail hour, and red carpet where we took many pictures of the honorees, Dominican Women’s Development Center’s officers, and many sponsors, sponsoring the event.
The program started off with Mistress of Ceremony , Damaris Diaz of Univision, who welcomed the crowd, who then introduced Mrs Rosita Romero , Executive Director of Dominican Women’s Development Center, (DWDC), who thanked everybody in attendance and then she introduced Co-Chair of the Gala , Jean Shafiroff, who was an honoree last year as well as an Co-Chair, Mrs Shafiroff looked stunning in her wonderful gown she was wearing, she thanked the organization and said, she is a big supporter of the organization’s mission.
Dr Abbey with Quenia Abreu ,President NY Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Then awards were presented to the above honoree’s , after that we had a break for dinner and desserts, and after that we had live performance by Amara La Negra , aka Dominican Diva , alongside her band and dancers did a live performance with guests dancing the night away.
It was World Liberty TV teams 10th appearance in covering their annual galas, see more about the Dominican Women’s Development Center, (DWDC), by clicking here.
