Diane Von Furstenberg Honored by Ms. Foundation

Diane von Furstenberg Image by Getty Images

By Anne Cohen April 18, 2013

Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg will be honored by the Ms. Foundation For Women for her “commitment to women-centered philanthropy and mentorship,” at the Foundation’s 40th anniversary gala on May 13.

“Diane is advancing women’s equality at the highest levels of leadership, providing opportunities for emerging female entrepreneurs and support for women who are creating cultural change,” Ms. Foundation President and CEO Anika Rahman said in a statement. “Her vision of equality is exemplified not just through her empowerment of female leaders, but also through her public advocacy of women’s rights.”

The designer of the flattering-on-every-shape wrap dresss is on the board of Vital Voices, an organization that promotes female leadership and innovation around the world. In 2010, the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation established the DVF Awards, that provide grants for women who have demonstrated the above qualities in promoting their various causes.

Other gala attendees include “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” star Olivia Dukakis, Ashley Judd, Ms. Foundation co-founder Mario Thomas, and of course, Gloria Steinem.

Anne Cohen was the Forward’s deputy digital media editor. When she’s not looking for the secret Jewish history of Voodoo in New Orleans, or making lists about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she writes for The Assimilator. She graduated from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism with an M.S. magazine concentration in 2012.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO