May 13, 2026
Our Favorite Moments from the 2026 Women of Vision Awards
by Ms. Foundation
This year’s Women of Vision Awards: Celebrating Community: Go. Be. Do., featured the announcement of new President & CEO Tracy Sturdivant, and raised over $270,000 to support the Foundation’s advocacy, grantmaking, and capacity-building work. Below are some of our favorite moments from the program! We kicked things off with an amazing performance from singer/songwriter MILCK. The event was hosted by Danielle Moodie, host of the Danielle Moodie Show, co-host of the #democracy-ish podcast, and Ms. Foundation Board Member. We honored 13 years of Ms. Foundation President & CEO Teresa C. Younger’s work and legacy stewarding the organization. Last October, she announced that she would be stepping down this June in order to make room for the next generation of leadership. “In the past 13 years we had 712 new grantee partners and expanded our capacity-building program. We, with all of you, have smoothed the paths [for women and gender-expansive people] by intentionally creating a gender-inclusive stance. We support women and girls of color as a point of inclusion, not exclusion.” In a surprise announcement at the end of the gala, the Foundation’s board leadership presented its next leader — Tracy Sturdivant, founder and CEO of The League. Sturdivant will become the 10th President and CEO of the over-50-year-old women’s foundation. “I believe all women deserve the chance to go, to be, and to do. Every woman. Every background. Every identity. The girl in my hometown of Detroit and the girl in Shreveport, LA. The daughter of immigrants and the daughter who is indigenous. Our white women allies, our LGBTQIA+ sisters, women across every line this country has used to try to divide us. We are the backbone of the feminist movement. Its engine. Its moral center. And we have work to do, together.” Activist, advocate, and author Tarana Burke, Founder & Chief Vision Officer of me too. International, was honored for her 25 years of survivor-centered leadership in the movement to end sexual violence. “This room, more than most, knows that we are in a moment that demands something from each and every one of us. Across this country, the systems that were never fully built to protect us are being dismantled in real time… But this room is anything but quiet. This room knows what the work looks like.” Grantee partner, Fatima Goss Graves, President & CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, was honored for her work with a national advocacy organization advancing gender justice through litigation, policy, and cultural change. “In the long days ahead, we will continue to fight for gender justice—in no small part thanks to the Ms. Foundation and I hope all of you. It will be hard. There will be days that you feel scared. But you will not give up. Because we will not give up. The fingerprints we leave will be sources of hope. Each one will subtly signal the way forward, showing people everywhere that a better future is possible.” Grantee Partner, Pua Case, Lead Coordinator and Project Director for Mauna Kea Education and Awareness, was honored for her work with the Native Hawaiian–led organization dedicated to protecting Mauna Kea and preserving Indigenous culture through education and advocacy. Hāwane Rios, accepting on her mother Pua Case’s behalf, said, “ [We come from a long line of] women of aloha ʻāina, who continued to show up and speak up for what is pono, for what is correct, just, and true, so that we would know how to stand strong like a mountain. My mother is a beautiful reflection of their legacy.” Blair Imani, author, historian, and the creator of Smarter in Seconds, was honored with the Marie C. Wilson Award for her work making complex social justice conversations accessible to students, readers, and online audiences, and affirming the power of education as a tool for collective liberation. “I tell my audience: Go out into the world. Be the change you want to see. Do what really matters for you and the people you care about. Even in this challenging moment we can choose to defy what is prescribed for us, whether it’s what you do for a living; if you want to be a parent or not; if you want to wear a headscarf, or let your braids fly free.” Executive Director of the Campaign School at Yale, Patti Russo, was honored with the Teresa C. Younger Award for her leadership program cultivating the next generation of political leaders. “When Teresa started at Ms. [Foundation], she could see something many of us couldn’t even imagine. Her vision was so far-reaching and her success has been monumental. Her success is our success. What an honor it is to be part of her legacy.” Girl Scouts of the USA was honored with the Free To Be You and Me Award. This award honors young activists enacting change and leading the way for future generations. GSUSA was honored for their work creating space and community for young women and girls. Three current Girl Scouts accepted the award on behalf of the organization. DJ Mary Mac also performed a special after-party set following the awards ceremony. Credit for all photos: Getty for Ms. Foundation for Women.
