2019 Agents of Change Awards

(L-R) Christine Ball, Judith Curr, Marlo Thomas, Cicely Tyson, Robin Thede, Alina Roytberg, Maya Nussbaum, and Ellen Archer attend the Girls Write Now Agents of Change Awards at DVF Studios on October 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images for Girls Write Now)

Thank You and Highlights!

Diane von Furstenberg speaks on stage during the Girls Write Now Agents of Change Awards at DVF Studios on October 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images for Girls Write Now)

Hundreds of supporters gathered at DVF Studios to celebrate and pledge their commitment to amplifying diverse voices across industries—publishing, beauty, fashion, entertainment, finance, and more. Diane von Furstenberg, Cicely Tyson, and all of our Agents of Change Honorees spoke passionately and intimately about how crucial it is to come together and take a stake in our future writers and leaders. The event also featured Girls Write Now mentees, mentors, and alums Teresa Mettela, Gabrielle Galchen, Lola Hart, Fiki Hunt, Gyana Guity, Donna Hill, and Leslie Pantaleon.

See more highlights and photos from last night below.

Thank you to our Agents of Change corporate partners, our inaugural Girls Write Now Circle members, to our Board of Directors, and to all of our guests and donors. Your generous gifts will directly support “Writing Works”, a workforce development program which opens doors for the next generation of women writers.

Thank you to our Honorary Chairs, Patrick Shields, Head of US Corporate Banking at RBC and Mustafa Topiwalla, Managing Director, Corporate Banking at RBC. Our Honorees include Christine Ball, Senior VP & Publisher of Dutton, Putnam, and Berkely, Judith Curr, President & Publisher of the HarperOne Group, HarperCollins, Alina Roytberg, Co-founder of Fresh, and Robin Thede, Executive Producer, Writer & Star of HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show.

If you couldn’t be with us, we hope you will join us next time: Become a member of the Girls Write Now Circle, a select group of multigenerational leaders—authors, editors, publishers, media makers, and change-agents. Or if your company is interested in internship placements, employee engagement, and more, learn more about becoming an Agent of Change Corporate Partner. For questions about gifts and sponsorship, please email us, or simply donate here.