FOR THE WOMEN

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

What: Moonlight Masquerade

When: Feb. 24, 5:30 p.m.

Where: JW Marriot Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Tickets: $350

Information: www. azfw.org.

Arizona Foundation for Women’s annual soiree will return this month, celebrating all nonprofit’s efforts with dinner, dancing, auctions and an awards ceremony.

“Guests will experience a night of fun, celebrating and recognizing great individuals with musical entertainment to top off the evening; learn how Arizona Foundation for Women works to improve the status of women in Arizona, and find ways they can get involved in various ways to make a difference,” says Mesha Davis, CEO and executive director of Arizona Foundation for Women (AFW).

Themed Moonlight Masquerade, though optional, attendees are encouraged to wear jewel tone colors and masquerade type masks. For those who forget their masks at home, there will also be masks on-site at the Camelback Inn.

“The theme, Moonlight Masquerade, evokes a night of celebrating the work Arizona Foundation for Women is doing for women in our state and to recognize those who are using their time, position or voice to elevate women,” Davis says.

Guests will hit the dance floor to enjoy this year’s entertainment, Kim Weston. Weston and her five-piece band will play a medley of upbeat live music to celebrate the nonprofit’s efforts and this year’s honorees.

Award-winning Broadway, film and television start Mary-Louise Parker will receive the prestigious Sandra Day O’Connor Lifetime Achievement Award for her expansive philanthropic and advocacy work in areas such as combatting human trafficking and empowering underserved women and children. Additional honors include the Marilyn R. Seymann Award

(recipient will be Sheriff Paul Penzone) and The Voice of Women Award (recipient was undecided at the time of press).

Additional highlights of the event, which will be co-chaired by Dr. Radha Rishi and Seema Patel, include a live auction and raffle, with travel and trips, beauty and spa items, entertainment and arts packages, jewelry, and more up for grabs.

“Proceeds will support our research efforts of which the data is heavily used by nonprofits, corporate and community leaders and lawmakers; creating programs that address unmet needs and reacting to unexpected issues that surface, providing education around leadership specific to women, financial independence and investments, where to find resources, programs and services; and moving our mission forward,” Davis says.