Hillary Clinton, Gabby Giffords Deliver Powerful Speeches at the DVF Awards
Hillary Clinton with Ambassador Melanne Verveer at the DVF Awards. Photo: BFAnyc.com
“Each one of us has a voice, and when we have a voice, I think it’s important to remember to use that voice for people who have no voice,” said designer (and CFDA president) Diane von Furstenberg on Thursday night at her own DVF Awards which celebrates the female leaders of today and their inspiring stories. The sixth annual ceremony took place at the United Nations, and what a crowd it was. Naomi Campbell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Dakota Fanning were all on hand as presenters as was presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The former Secretary of State, who has a long standing friendship with von Furstenberg, has attended this event before (in 2011 year she received a DVF Award from her daughter, Chelsea), but on Thursday, she bestowed Ambassador Melanne Verveer with the Lifetime Achievement Award for “dedicating her life to foreign policy issues and activities relating to the political, economic, and social advancement of women.”
“We have seen progress and Melanne has been there every step of the way from the White House to Vital Voices, to serving as the first ever ambassador of global women’s issues,” Clinton said proudly at the podium.
Diane von Furstenberg with Anne Marie Kortwright. Photo: BFAnyc.com
It was this sentiment that brought the crowd—which also included Gloria Steinem, Seth Meyers, and artist Ahn Duong—to their feet. Von Furstenberg then went on to present former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who nearly lost her life after a shooting massacre in 2011, The Inspiration Award. “This goes to award goes to a true survivor,” said the designer. “A woman who has experienced an unimaginable challenge and turned it into a mission to make positive change in the world.”
“Stopping gun violence takes courage,” said Giffords from her wheelchair. “The courage to do what’s right, the courage to have good ideas. I’ve seen great courage when my life was on the line. Now is the time to come together. Be responsible! Democrats, Republicans, everyone. We must never stop fighting. Be bold. Be courageous, the nation is counting on you.”
Charity Water’s Becky Straw with Dakota Fanning. Photo: BFAnyc.com
The inspirational evening capped off a day where women’s issues were at the forefront for Clinton. Earlier that afternoon, the Democratic candidate received rapturous applause at the Women in the World Summit for bridging the pay gap issue. “It is hard to believe that in 2015 so many women still pay a price for being mothers,” she said. “It is also hard to believe that so many women are also paid less than many for the same work, with even wider gaps for women of color. And if you don’t believe what I say, look to the World Economic Forum, hardly a hotbed of feminist thought. Their rankings show that the United States is 65th out of 142 nations and other territories on equal pay. We should first.” Here here.
Related: Hillary Clinton Celebrates Women In Style in NYC
Related: Backstage at the Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2015 Fashion Show
