2026 Annual Event
Our 2026 Annual Event was held on June 23rd at The Conrad in Washington, D.C. As the centerpiece of our 55th anniversary year, the event centered around the theme of “Persistence & Progress” to capture both our pride in our past and our determination to keep moving our nation toward a more just and equitable future. The reception-style celebration featured a stunning historical exhibit, fantastic silent auction, and inspiring remarks from NPWF President Jocelyn Frye and our distinguished honorees.

Event Highlights

Event Videos

Event Highlights

Event Videos

Distinguished Honorees

Representative Nancy Pelosi, 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives

Rep. Nancy Pelosi

52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives and Congresswoman, California (CA-11)

Watch her speech

Ai-jen Poo, President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Executive Director of Caring Across Generations

Ai-jen Poo

President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Executive Director of Caring Across Generations

Watch her speech

Del. Briana Sewell, Delegate for Virginia's 25th House District and Paid Leave Champion

Del. Briana Sewell

Paid Leave Champion and Virginia House Delegate (25th District)

Watch her speech

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Chair, Democratic Women's Caucus

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández

Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Congresswoman, New Mexico (NM-03)

Watch her speech

Event Photos

NPWF President Jocelyn Frye on stage behind at a podium with a large red step and repeat banner featuring the NPWF logo and theme Persistence & Progress at the 2026 Annual Event
NPWF President Frye in the background on stage with an expansive view of event attendees seated at tables at the 2026 Annual Event
NPWF President Jocelyn Frye and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi holding a glass vase award on stage at the 2026 Annual Event
A NPWF staff member checking in attendees at the 2026 Annual Event with a crowd of people in the background
A group of attendees taking a selfie photo in front of a sign that reads 55 & Forward at the 2026 Annual Event
Two founding members of the Women’s Legal Defense Fund (now National Partnership for Women & Families) pointing at a picture of themselves on an interactive timeline exhibit wall at the 2026 Annual Event
Two attendees talking in front of the interactive timeline exhibit wall at the 2026 Annual Event
Attendees sitting at a table listening to an honoree with other attendees in the background at the 2026 Annual Event
2026 Annual Event speakers from left to right: Del. Briana Sewell, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, Jocelyn Frye and Ai-jen Poo posing together on a red carpet in front of a red background with the National Partnership logo
The 2026 Annual Event silent auction table with signs featuring items to bid on including an autographed cartoon print, sporting event tickets, and wine bottles
2026 Annual Event signs thanking corporate sponsors with company logos
A large group of smiling NPWF staff members on stage after the 2026 Annual Event

See more photos on Facebook.

Event Quotes

“We have the saying that when women succeed America succeeds, and we truly believe that. … Take great pride in the National Partnership for Women & Families. They have made so much possible … an intellectual resource … a mobilization force. We could never have passed the Affordable Care Act without the outside mobilization … Again, let us celebrate the National Partnership for Women & Families for leading with persistence. Persistence is everything to make progress … to expand opportunity, to strengthen families and ensure that more women have a voice in shaping our nation’s future. And while we have made enormous progress, you know we’re not finished. We have plenty more to do.”

– Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

“We chose to be here because we share a commitment to the goals and the values of this organization. And we understand that while it’s scary at times, it is an honor to be able to fight for what we believe in at such an important time in history and that we are doing it together. So family, let tonight be our reminder that we are part of a proud lineage and a great family of fighters. This is our moment to rise and this organization, the National Partnership for Women and Families, is a beacon.”

–Labor Activist Ai-jen Poo

“The National Partnership’s 55-year history is a testament to the power of persistence. As an organization, it has done more than advocate for change. It has helped redefine what is possible, and it has reminded us that progress is not something we inherit. It is something we build together, and it’s something we must continuously fight to protect. … This is how progress happens: one victory, one family, one generation at a time. Thank you so much again for this honor and thank you for your partnership.”

– Del. Briana Sewell

“When I’m in a room like this, on a stage with amazing legends that we’ve heard from today, I am completely convinced women are going to save our democracy, right? And women will lead us to the future that honors our work, that values care, that puts love, love at the center of how we make policy. Because when we put love at the center of how we make policy, it will include all of the issues that we are fighting for and that we have heard about today.”

– Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03)

Our Generous Supporters

Luminary

Omidyar Network logo
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) logo

Champion

Gilead logo
Uber logo

Advocate

AARP logo
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees logo
Clifford Chance logo
Cohen, Milstein, Sellers & Toll, PLLC logo

Latham & Watkins LLP

PWR logo
Starbucks logo
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young LLP logo

Benefactor

AFL-CIO | Amalgamated Bank | Blue Shield of California | Democracy Forward | EMILYs List | Instacart | Institute for Women’s Policy Research | Isabel (Liz) Dunst | Jenna Skinner Scanland & Wilson Scanlan | M. Elizabeth Culbreth (in honor of John Vanderstar) | National Coalition on Black Civic Participation: Black Women’s Roundtable | National Health Law Program | NVG LLC | Real Chemistry | Sharis Pozen & Thorn Pozen | Southern Poverty Law Center | UFCW

Patron

Brett Brenner & Brian Reid | Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy | Jamienne Studley | Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law | Ms. Foundation for Women | National Abortion Federation | National Fair Housing Alliance | National Women’s Law Center | OneDigital | Paid Leave for All | Susannah Baruch | Tonya Robinson and Paul & Keira Oostburg | Tracy Spicer

Event Quotes

“We have the saying that when women succeed America succeeds, and we truly believe that. … Take great pride in the National Partnership for Women & Families. They have made so much possible … an intellectual resource … a mobilization force. We could never have passed the Affordable Care Act without the outside mobilization … Again, let us celebrate the National Partnership for Women & Families for leading with persistence. Persistence is everything to make progress … to expand opportunity, to strengthen families and ensure that more women have a voice in shaping our nation’s future. And while we have made enormous progress, you know we’re not finished. We have plenty more to do.”

– Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

“We chose to be here because we share a commitment to the goals and the values of this organization. And we understand that while it’s scary at times, it is an honor to be able to fight for what we believe in at such an important time in history and that we are doing it together. So family, let tonight be our reminder that we are part of a proud lineage and a great family of fighters. This is our moment to rise and this organization, the National Partnership for Women and Families, is a beacon.”

–Labor Activist Ai-jen Poo

“The National Partnership’s 55-year history is a testament to the power of persistence. As an organization, it has done more than advocate for change. It has helped redefine what is possible, and it has reminded us that progress is not something we inherit. It is something we build together, and it’s something we must continuously fight to protect. … This is how progress happens: one victory, one family, one generation at a time. Thank you so much again for this honor and thank you for your partnership.”

– Virginia Delegate Briana Sewell

“When I’m in a room like this, on a stage with amazing legends that we’ve heard from today, I am completely convinced women are going to save our democracy, right? And women will lead us to the future that honors our work, that values care, that puts love, love at the center of how we make policy. Because when we put love at the center of how we make policy, it will include all of the issues that we are fighting for and that we have heard about today.”

– Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03)

Event Sponsors

Luminary

Omidyar Network logo
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) logo

Champion

Gilead logo
Uber logo

Advocate

AARP logo
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees logo
Clifford Chance logo
Cohen, Milstein, Sellers & Toll, PLLC logo

Latham & Watkins LLP

PWR logo
Starbucks logo
Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young LLP logo

Benefactor

AFL-CIO | Amalgamated Bank | Blue Shield of California | Democracy Forward | EMILYs List | Instacart | Institute for Women’s Policy Research | Isabel (Liz) Dunst | Jenna Skinner Scanland & Wilson Scanlan | M. Elizabeth Culbreth (in honor of John Vanderstar) | National Coalition on Black Civic Participation: Black Women’s Roundtable | National Health Law Program | NVG LLC | Real Chemistry | Sharis Pozen & Thorn Pozen | Southern Poverty Law Center | UFCW

Patron

Brett Brenner & Brian Reid | Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy | Jamienne Studley | Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law | Ms. Foundation for Women | National Abortion Federation | National Fair Housing Alliance | National Women’s Law Center | OneDigital | Paid Leave for All | Susannah Baruch | Tonya Robinson and Paul & Keira Oostburg | Tracy Spicer