More than 900 people gathered at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the lives of three successful women and raise money to fight domestic violence, child abuse and women’s health problems.
The Arizona Foundation for Women, a philanthropic organization that works with women’s and children’s issues, raised more than $400,000 at its sixth annual Sandra Day O’Connor luncheon, said spokeswoman Nicole Phelan.
An auction of items, such as a child’s Mercedes pedal car, contributed $100,000 toward that total.
Among the winners honored at the event:
• Two-time Academy Award winner Sally Field won the Voice of Women award for her work to inform the world about women’s issues.
• Actress and author Marlo Thomas won the Sandra Day O’Connor Award for her leadership and contributions to society. Thomas launched the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation for Women, and has raised funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
• Deborah Carstens, founder of a fund that helps women take responsibility for their economic lives, won the Marilyn R. Seymann Award for her ability to improve the lives of others.
