Holiday event celebrates notable women, re-launch of Fortune 52 column

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Herald Community Newspapers hosted a re-launch party for the Fortune 52 column, written by Beverly Fortune, at a networking event at The Loft By Bridgeview in Island Park on Dec. 12. The waterfront venue was alive with cheerful chatter as over 150 guests networked and shopped at the ladies’ “Holiday Night Out.”

A portion of the ticket sales benefitted Long Beach Christmas Angel, a non-profit organization founded by past Fortune 52 honoree, Johanna Sofield, which assists families in crisis in the Long Beach school district.

Twenty businesses tabled for the evening, including presenting sponsor SVS Fine Jewelry and photo booth sponsor Mercy Medical Center. Food, drinks, music, vendors, make-up and photo booths and astrology reader Joanne Wolff all contributed to the fun, woman-centered night.

“Ladies need to stick together,” said Nicki Saatchi, owner of SVS Fine Jewelry. “We’re in a male-dominated industry and we’re a predominantly a women-run business, so woman empowerment is very important to us.”

In addition to shopping, drinking, eating and mingling, women and men gathered to support Beverly Fortune and the dozens of women honorees that have been featured in her past columns. Up until 2012, Fortune 52 ran weekly in the Long Island Press and highlighted the accomplishments of Long Island women who were underserved in the media. Beginning in 2019, Fortune’s columns will return monthly in Herald newspapers.

Elisa DiStefano, of News12 Long Island, introduced Fortune to the podium, noting that Fortune is “back where she belongs” and has connected so many Long Island women over the years.

“It’s really a labor of love,” Fortune said about the column and networking events. “It is a time to come together to support one another with gratitude and good fortune. And that is what I hope everybody feels in their hearts tonight.”

Amy Amato, Executive Director of Events for Richner Communications, was extremely pleased with the relaunch and is already planning the next quarterly networking event for Spring 2019. “I am passionate about recognizing women who are doing such inspirational work on Long Island and I am privileged to continue the mission of Fortune 52.

Island Park mayor Michael McGinty attended the event and addressed the audience. “I’m kind of humbled,” he said. “It’s a tremendous thing to stand here, look out at this room and look at all the accomplishment. I’m so very proud to be here with all of you.”

One of the past Fortune 52 women in attendance was Glenda Hills, president and CEO of Millennium Sistahs, a non-profit that donates toys, clothing, food and medical supplies to low-income families. Hills also kick started a program to give low-income women community baby showers. “Women need to feel empowered,” Hills said. “[Fortune 52 is] really fantastic networking and I can’t wait to get back into it.”

Fortune echoed Hills’ excitement to start the Fortune 52 networking events once more, which the Herald will hold quarterly going forward. “The energy is just amazing,” she said. “It’s wonderful that Richner Communications has stepped up to keep this going and sees that the Fortune network’s value is great for everybody.”

Many women approached Fortune throughout the evening, either to catch up or to offer suggestions for the next women to be featured in her column. Others visited the tables offering information or selling clothing, jewelry, handmade gifts and make-up.

Kasha Mann, owner of Ahsak Skincare, sold all-natural beauty products at the event. The singer and entrepreneur started the business two years ago and hoped to expose more women to her non-toxic lipsticks. “The opportunity to come out, support and feel the love here is amazing,” she said. “It’s something we need to do to get ahead.”

Other tables provided medical information to women, such as Sheila Kuplicki, director of imaging at Mercy Medical Center. “We’ve identified early breast cancer that mammograms didn’t identify with our brand new molecular breast imaging technology,” she explained. “It’s been a godsend.”

Elisa Gross, of Rejoice Dietary Supplements, shared information about Rejoice’s bladder control supplements, which use hyper-pure pumpkin seed extract and can be a healthier alternative to bladder control medications. “You’d be surprised how many people are affected by bladder control, because many don’t discuss it,” Gross said.

Driving home the evening’s overall theme of empowering women, Fortune said, “I’m so excited to have this opportunity to bring more women together. They are powerful, unique and beautiful, and all of you that came to support them are, as well.”

To nominate a deserving woman please visit liherald.com/fortune52.