It was a night of support, love, and community amongst women as the American Heart Association hosted their 2026 Red Dress Concert and Fashion Show, presented by Go Red for Women®.
The annual event serves to continue the Go Red For Women campaign’s initiative of raising funds and awareness that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, challenging the misconception that it’s predominantly a “man’s disease.”
Leading the evening was Laura Linney as host of the awards ceremony alongside CEO of the AHA, Nancy Brown- followed by the honor of Woman Changing the World award for Amy Grant, and a show-stopping performance by Nicole Scherzinger. Fashion designers create red couture gowns each year for the fashion show portion of the event, emphasizing that heart disease affects women of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles.
Activists, artists, doctors and educators on the carpet highlighted everything from women’s heart health awareness and education gaps around it… to health equity and policy barriers that affect preventive care, treatment access, and long-term outcomes…to research and funding shortfalls.
Using their voices this year were Selma Blair, Susan Lucci, Jane Seymour, Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan, Uzo Aduba, Ali Ahn, Chlöe Bailey, Christina Chang, Kandi and Riley Burruss, Alexandra Breckenridge, Edie Falco, Aida Turturro, Amaya “Papaya” Espinal, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Normani, Sasha Pieterse, Jen Hale, Bella Poarch- and last but certainly not least, Monty, The Giant Schnauzer.
Each person on this carpet- whether speaking from personal experience with and/or watching a loved-one battle heart disease- had something meaningful to contribute to the conversation of cardiovascular disease’s impact and how women can advocate for and educate themselves. Significant disparities persist for women, particularly women of color, in access to quality care, representation in research and bystander CPR.
Doctor Evelina Grayver in particular strongly encouraged action and preventive care among young women and mothers:
“First step… find a cardiologist that will actually listen, will not dismiss your symptoms, and understands the importance of maternal health.”
Aside from cardiovascular disease being the number one killer for women, Grayver adds, “The unfortunate part about it is the fact that less than 50% of women going into pregnancy are in optimal cardiovascular shape.”
In addition to preventative care, it’s important to know the Warning Signs & Symptoms of Heart Attack and Stroke. Every second counts.