On Thursday October 25, the largest independent Dominican founded organization in the United States, held their 30th Anniversary Gala at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
The incredible group Dominican Women’s Development Center honored composer, lyricist, and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, and other notables, including philanthropist Jean Shafiroff.
Jean Shafiroff and Lin-Manuel Miranda At Dominican Women’s Development Center’s gala (Photo by Jimi Celeste/PMC)f
Lin-Manuel Miranda then came to the stage and joked, “I love Dominican women so much I married one,” before applauding the work of the DWDC for always “lifting up the community.”
Hundreds of guests gathered to see Dr. Casilda Balmaceda, Board-Certified Neurologist and CEO of Neurology Associates, presented with the Healthcare Leadership Award; Jean Shafiroff, Author and Philanthropist, was presented with the Outstanding Philanthropy Award; Daniel Kern, NYPD Police Officer, was presented with the Honorable Service Award; Marisol Martinez, Vice President, Channel Relationship Marketing, Charter Communications, was presented with the Visionary in Strategic Marketing and Communication Award; Jomari Goyso, Designer, Beauty Expert and Hairstylist, was presented with the Lifestyle Breakthrough Award; and Maria Terrero, Family Services Coordinator, Early Head Start, DWDC, was presented with the Founders Award.
The soiree raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fund the center’s diverse programs for Latina women and families of the Washington Heights community. The mission of DWDC is to empower all women and communities to advance gender equality and social justice.
