Champions of Choice 2018 Honorees

Whoopi Goldberg

Read Bio

In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg became one of a very elite group of artists who have won the Grammy (“Whoopi Goldberg,” 1985), the Academy Award (“Ghost,” 1991), the Golden Globe (“The Color Purple,” 1985 and “Ghost,” 1991), the Emmy (as host of AMC’s “Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel,” 2002 and a Daytime Emmy for “The View,” 2009) and a Tony (Producer of “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” 2002). She produced and made her directorial debut with the documentary, “Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley,” which premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and premiered on HBO in November 2013. Whoopi has appeared in many films, on TV and graced the Broadway stage. She made her debut as an author in 1992 and has since published five books and a children’s book series. She is equally well-known for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse and the battle against AIDS, as well as many other causes and charities. Among her many charitable activities, Whoopi is a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations.

Caroline Hirsch

Read Bio

Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the iconic NY comedy venue Carolines on Broadway, is an entrepreneur, producer, and entertainment industry visionary. She founded and produces the annual New York Comedy Festival and created Stand Up For Heroes, the festival’s annual comedy benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which has raised more than $45 million since its inception in 2007. A longtime advocate for women, Hirsch served on the board of the Ms. Foundation and was instrumental in launching the Take Our Daughters To Work program. Hirsch frequently combines her entertainment expertise with her dedication to giving back to the community. She’s helped curate myriad comedy benefit events for such philanthropic organizations as the ERA Coalition; the Ms. Foundation, which hosted its 22nd Comedy Night at Carolines in 2017; and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, whose 17th annual Stand Up for Madeline benefit will grace Carolines in May 2018. Most recently, Hirsch served as an executive producer on Ask for Jane, a feature film based on the true story of the Jane Collective, which provided safe abortions to women in need prior to the passage of Roe v. Wade.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman

Read Bio

Eric T. Schneiderman is the 65th Attorney General and highest ranking law enforcement officer in New York State, and a national leader on issues of equal justice. From his office recently taking its 100th legal or administrative action to protect New Yorkers from the dangerous policies of the Trump administration to proposing reforms that would expand women’s rights, Attorney General Schneiderman fights to protect all New Yorkers. He has introduced legislation that would increase New Yorkers’ access to cost-free contraception no matter what happens in Washington, and has filed suit to protect women and health care providers from anti-choice violence and harassment. Before becoming Attorney General, Schneiderman was a leading reformer in the State Senate. He also served as a public interest lawyer, representing women seeking access to health clinics — and after high school, worked in an abortion clinic before Roe v. Wade was even decided. In a year when so many challenges abounded, Attorney General Schneiderman has been and continues to be a champion for social justice and women’s rights.

Event Details

May 1, 2017

Ziegfeld Ballroom
141 West 54th Street

12:00 Luncheon

Buy Tables & Tickets

Donate

Please contact Christina Perez at cperez@nirhealth.org
or (646) 520-3507 for event inquiries.

Champions of Choice
Benefit Committee

Kim Chirls, Co-Chair

Jane Pollock, Co-Chair

Nancy Silverman, Co-Chair

Christine Quinn

Laura Ross, MD

Audrey Spiegel

Sharon Weinberg

Event Sponsors

Champion
Margaret Munzer Loeb · Nancy Silverman

Trailblazer
Audrey Gruss

Illuminary
Elyse and Lawrence Benenson · Jill Braufman and Daniel Nir · Cynthia Green Colin and Patricia Green · Jane Pollock and Philip Berney · Laura Ross, MD and David Ross ·
Audrey and Jeff Spiegel · Allison Stern

Visionary
Kim and Richard Chirls · Kristen Dickey and James Dooley · Christine Quinn · May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc. · Sharon Weinberg

Defender
Julie F. Kay and Thomas Fergus · Lisa J. Kohl, PhD · Stephanie Krieger

Protector
Amalgamated Bank · Donna Bascom and Paul Biddelman · Daniel and April Brooks · Laurie Campbell and Lara Marcon · Debra Cooper · Roxanne Donovan · Bob Fertik and Antonia Stolper · Wendy Flanagan and Amy Lipin · Mindy and Jon Gray · Lissa Hirsch, MD · Kim Koopersmith · Sarah Kovner · Linda Lambert · Raquel and Lear Levin · Aila Main and Marnie Worth · Kathleen S. McHugh · Fiona and Eric Rudin · Abigail and David Schumer · Heidi L. Sieck · Mila Tuttle · Susi Wunsch

*List in formation

Boards of Directors

National Institute for Reproductive Health

Julie F. Kay, Chair
Raquel Levin, Treasurer
Laura Ross, MD, Secretary
Kim Chirls, ex officio
Jill Braufman
Lissa Hirsch, MD
Robert Jaffe
Kathleen McHugh
Jane Pollock
Laura Scheuer
Nancy Silverman
Heidi L. Sieck
Audrey Spiegel

National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund

Kim Chirls, Chair
Shirley Gordon, Treasurer
Bob Fertik, Secretary
Julie F. Kay, ex officio
Donna Bascom
Daniel J. Brooks
Debra Cooper
Sarah Kovner
Raquel Levin
Christine Quinn
Sharon Weinberg