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March 31, 2020
|New York City
Edie Windsor acknowledges her supporters as she leaves the Supreme Court on March 27, 2013. Brought by the ACLU and NYCLU, her landmark case struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and granted same-sex married couples federal recognition.
Learn more.Edie Windsor acknowledges her supporters as she leaves the Supreme Court on March 27, 2013. Brought by the ACLU and NYCLU, her landmark case struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and granted same-sex married couples federal recognition.
Learn more.The ACLU is turning 100 — that’s 100 years of speaking truth to power, fighting for our fundamental freedoms, and demanding justice for all. Join us as we celebrate all we’ve accomplished together.
Honorees
Countless people have helped the ACLU change the course of history — from devoted advocates to social justice leaders to our courageous clients. At the Centennial Gala, we’re honoring a special few.
Darren Walker
Darren Walker is a visionary leader who is committed to serving people who are excluded from the very institutions that shape their lives. Darren is president of the Ford Foundation, a $13 billion international social justice philanthropy that has helped fuel the ACLU's fights for over four decades. Darren led the philanthropy committee that brought a resolution to Detroit’s historic bankruptcy and chairs the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance and the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy. Educated exclusively in public schools, Darren was a member of the first class of Head Start in 1965 and received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.
Chrissy Teigen & John Legend
Chrissy Teigen is a TV personality and New York Times #1 bestselling author. John Legend is a critically acclaimed, platinum-selling singer-songwriter who has garnered 10 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe. Together, they have used their global platform to rally support for vulnerable immigrant communities, increasing awareness about the government’s cruel practice of family separation and raising critical funds for the ACLU’s reunification efforts.
Crista Ramos & Cristina Morales
At 15, Crista Ramos is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU, the National Day Laborer Organizer Network, and Sidley Austin LLP against the Department of Homeland Security for its attempt to terminate Temporary Protected Status, a nearly 30-year-old immigration program. Her mother, Cristina Morales, who is also part of the lawsuit, would lose her right to stay in the U.S. — the only place she’s lived for the past 26 years — and Crista, a U.S. citizen, would be forced to choose between staying here without her parents or moving to El Salvador, a country she’s never known.
Speakers
Throughout this special night, you’ll get to hear from renowned ACLU leaders, celebrity activists, and incredible members of our community who are advancing justice and equality for all.
America Ferrera is an award-winning actor, producer, director, and activist. She opened the 2017 Women’s March, co-founded the nonprofit Harness, and co-established Time’s Up.
America Ferrera
Emmy-nominated Padma Lakshmi is a food expert, best-selling author & UNDP Goodwill Ambassador. She’s also an ACLU Artist Ambassador, focusing on immigrants’ & women's rights.
Padma Lakshmi
Donna Lieberman has been executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union since December 2001 and has significantly expanded the scope and depth of its work.
Donna Lieberman
Natalie Portman is an Academy Award-winning actress, director, and activist. She is a founding member of Time’s Up, an ambassador of WE, and a graduate of Harvard University.
Natalie Portman
Anthony D. Romero has been the executive director of the ACLU since 2001 and has presided over the most successful growth in the organization’s history.
Anthony D. Romero
You’re Invited
Benefiting the ACLU and NYCLU Foundations and the organizations’ life-changing work, the Centennial Gala will be an unforgettable evening of community, connection, and celebration.
Festive Attire
Check Availability
Co-Chairs
We are so grateful to our Centennial Gala Co-Chairs for their dedication, support, and leadership as we celebrate the ACLU’s 100th anniversary.
Claire Bernard
Valerie Dillon & Daniel Lewis
Jerome L. Greene Foundation
Padma Lakshmi
Michael Novogratz and Sukey Caceres Novogratz
Noah Pritzker and Wendell Winton
Deborah J. Simon
Gwendolyn M. Sontheim
Michael and Donna Weinholtz
Centennial Gala Committee
Robert N. Chester & Jennifer Trask-Chester
Carl Crider & Carol Clause
David Dechman & Michel Mercure
Janet L. Denlinger
M. Nazie Eftekhari
Agnes Gund
Ambassador James C. Hormel & Michael P. N. Hormel
Sam & Tulsi Maddula
Masimo
Kiki & Zach Mcmillan
Katherine C. Moore
Dave Olsen & Brigitte Kerpsack Olsen
The Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh
Pritzker Family Foundation
Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation
Anthony D. Romero
Russell Reynolds Associates
Paul Sagan & Ann Burks Sagan
Jon Stryker & Slobodan Randjelović
Katrina Vanden Heuvel
Zegar Family Foundation
Danielle Ziff & Ruston Forrester
Select Directions Below
From Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island
Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges – Follow FDR DRIVE NORTH to East 23rd Follow 23rd Street west to 11th Avenue. Turn right onto 11th Avenue and turn left onto 24th Street. Stay in left lane and turn left at the light (West Side Highway South 9A). Stay in right lane and bear right into CHELSEA PIERS.
Brooklyn Battery Tunnel
Follow signs to West Street (West Side Highway9A). Take West Side Highway north to 21st Street and bear right to 11th Turn left onto 24th Street, stay in left lane and continue to light (West Side Highway South9A). At light turn left onto highway. Stay in right lane and bear right into CHELSEA PIERS.
From Long Island and Queens
Queens Midtown Tunnel or 59th Street Bridge (Queensboro Bridge) – Continue South to 23rd Street. At 23rd Street, turn right Follow 23rd Street west to 11th Turn right onto 11th Avenue and turn left onto 24th Street. Stay in left lane and turn left at the light (West Side Highway South). Stay in right lane and bear right into CHELSEA PIERS.
From Upstate NY, Connecticut and Bronx
Henry Hudson Parkway to West Side Highway. Follow South to 24th Street and get into right lane – you will see a sign that says “PIER SIXTY, SECOND RIGHT”. Stay in right lane and bear right into CHELSEA PIERS.
From New Jersey
Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge: Follow signs for West Side Highway (Henry Hudson Parkway Downtown). Follow South to 24th Street and get into right lane– you will see a sign that says “PIER SIXTY, SECOND RIGHT”. Stay in right lane and bear right into CHELSEA PIERS.
Holland Tunnel
Follow signs for West Street (West Side Highway9A) North. Take West Side Highway north to 21st Street and bear right to 11th Turn left onto 24th Street, stay in left lane and continue to light (West Side Highway South). At light turn left onto highway. Stay in right lane and bear right into CHELSEA PIERS.
Utilize any lane at the entrance. Take ticket at Gate and continue to PIER 60 (second right) – turn right onto PIER 60 and continue to PIER SIXTY VENUE.
Bus
The M23 Bus, which runs along 23rd Street, will drop off at Pier 62 in the Chelsea Piers Complex. From there, it is a short walk south to Pier Sixty (Pier 60) with signage along the way. M14 bus to last stop which is 18th Street and 11th. Cross 11th to entrance to Chelsea Piers
Subway
Take any subway that will bring you to 23rd Street (the C & E will take you to Eighth Avenue and 23rd Street, the 1 will take you to Seventh Avenue and 23rd Street). From there, you can take the M23 bus or a taxi. 14th Street – (C&E to Eighth Avenue and 1,2 or 3 Train to 7th Avenue).
Parking
Valet parking is available for $45 per car and can be paid upon exit.
