Literacy Partners marked the 40th anniversary of its Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner with a memorable black-tie celebration at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, bringing together New York’s literary, philanthropic, civic, and business leaders in support of life-changing literacy programs. Hosted by acclaimed journalist Lesley Stahl, the annual event raised $1.3 million to further the organization’s mission of advancing literacy two generations at a time by empowering adults, parents, and caregivers with the skills needed to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
The evening honored four outstanding leaders whose work exemplifies the transformative power of education and storytelling. Bestselling author Patricia Cornwell received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Salesforce President and Chief Legal Officer Sabastian Niles was presented with the Distinguished Leadership in Literacy Award. Barbara Tober was honored with the Lizzie Award for her longstanding contributions to culture, publishing, and philanthropy, and Sesame Workshop President and CEO Sherrie Westin received the Champion of Literacy Award in recognition of her commitment to early childhood education and lifelong learning.
One of the evening’s most moving moments came when a Literacy Partners student shared her inspiring journey from learning English through the organization’s programs to helping fellow students strengthen their literacy skills while pursuing a career in healthcare. Guests including Jean Shafiroff, Sheila Nevins, Perri Peltz, David Westin, Courtney E.K. Lewis, and Bill Buford joined the celebration, highlighting four decades of Literacy Partners’ lasting impact and reaffirming its mission to create greater opportunity through the power of literacy.
