Black Tie Inaugural Gala to Launch NCWI
and Honor Dr. Gladys Brown West
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 7 PM, The Ritz-Carlton at Pentagon City, VA
Mark your calendar! Dr. Gladys B. West will be honored by the National Center of Women’s Innovations on her 93rd birthday October 27, 2023 at the Center’s Inaugural at Gala Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City. As a Black mathematician, Dr. B. West mapped the world, enabling GPS. We should know her name. Help put her on the map of recognition! For more information or to volunteer, call (757) 656-9870.
Please consider becoming one of our Sponsors for this important event!
Gala Highlights
- Mingle with people from across the nation who bring personal and professional support for women innovators, Dr. Gladys B. West, and the Divine 9 connection.
- Delight in meeting Deborah Roberts, the ABC newscaster who will be our keynote speaker.
- Applaud the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) when Danette Anthony Reed, International CEO/President, and Gwen James, Member of AKA Sorority, receive NCWI’s Pioneer Recognition Award for supporting women innovators.
- Music to touch your soul!
- VIP reception for generous sponsors.
- Honor Dr. Gladys B. West and celebrate her 93rd birthday!!!
- Enjoy the elegance of the Ritz Carlton.
- Glimpses of the Dr. Brown West interactive exhibit and STEM educational module.
Special Gala Speaker Deborah Roberts
Deborah Roberts is an award-winning ABC News national affairs correspondent for “Nightlife,” “Good Morning America,” and “World News Tonight with David Muir.” She has served as a substitute anchor for “Good Morning America,” “World News Weekend,” and “20/20.” In May she was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. In 2021 Roberts was awarded a Peabody Award for the 20/20 Special “Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor,” which featured her extensive reporting on Taylor’s tragic death. As a New York Times best-selling author of “Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life,” she highlights the roles and influencers of innovators.
Award Recipient, Danette Anthony Reed
NCWI will present to Danette Anthony Reed, International CEO/President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), the Pioneer Recognition Award for supporting women innovators. AKA is the largest Black women’s sorority in the world with 355,000 life long-sorority sisters. AKA was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women and now operates in 11 countries.
Award Recipient, Gwen James
Dr. Gladys B. West is a life long AKA Member, and when fellow AKA Member Gwen James asked chapter Members to share their careers, James was astounded to learn in late 2017 what Brown has accomplished with the mapping of the world. James shared the story with the The Free Lance -Star Cathy Dyson that ultimately resulted in Dr. West being inducted as the first African-American woman into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2018, along with being included in the BBC’s list of the 100 most influential women of 2018.