The 2025 Equality Now Make Equality Reality Gala celebrates joy as resistance, honoring Malala Yousafzai and the Pelicot family

Evening featured keynote by Ann Curry, performances by Emeli Sandé, Jennifer Nettles and Charlene Kaye.

Last night in New York City, global leaders, activists, and artists gathered in a powerful celebration of courage, unity, and joy at Equality Now’s 2025 Make Equality Reality Gala, held at Cipriani 25 Broadway.

Under the theme “Choose Joy,” the event celebrated joy as an act of resistance in a world where women’s rights continue to face challenge and rollback. The evening honored Malala Yousafzai with the Trailblazer Award and The Pelicot Family with the Courage Award, recognizing their extraordinary leadership and impact in advancing equality and justice.

The gala featured a keynote address by acclaimed journalist Ann Curry, who urged audiences to “turn truth into action” and to see hope as “a form of resistance.”

Equality Now Global Executive Director Mona Sinha opened the evening with a powerful reflection on the importance of the room itself:

“Being here tonight means you care. The people in this room could sell out a stadium, but tonight, they are selling something far more valuable: the idea that what is happening to women and girls around the world cannot and will not stand. This is what it looks like when influence becomes empathy, and empathy becomes action.”

The program included moving performances by Broadway star Shoba Narayan and the Resistance Revival Choir, alongside a dramatic centerpiece, Stand Strong, Stand Together, written by Director Katie Cappiello, and inspired by real-life stories of survivors and activists.

E Jean Carroll, recipient of the inaugural Courage Award in 2024, presented The Pelicot Family with this year’s Courage Award. She spoke about “demonstrating resistance” as she celebrated The Pelicot Family’s continued search for justice in the case of Gisèle Pelicot.

Comedian and musician Charlene Kaye brought humor and energy to the evening, while acclaimed recording artist Emeli Sandé closed the night with a rousing 20-minute set celebrating resilience and solidarity.

Matthew Bishop, Equality Now Board Member and The Economist’s former U.S. Business Editor, and Jennifer Nettles, the Grammy Award-winning artist, actor, and activist known for her work as lead vocalist of “Sugarland” and her commitment to women’s equality, led the calls for the evening’s donations. The organization raised over $1M toward its goal of advancing gender equality.

Guests included Equality Now board and advisory members, philanthropists, and advocates from around the world, including journalist Errin Haines, actress Sheetal Sheth, award winning activist Soma Sara and artist Michele Pred. 

The 2025 Make Equality Reality Gala was presented with support from the Kering Foundation, Gucci CHIME for Gender Equality, PAC NYC, and Mastercard, among others.