An Evening to Remember: 150th Anniversary Gala

The venue was spectacular; the weather was ideal; and the mood was joyful. The setting could not have been more perfect on Saturday, September 18th as 350 friends of St. Ann’s filled the Music Center at Strathmore’s patio with laughter and conversation to kick off an evening of celebration in honor of St. Ann’s 150 years of service.

We are enormously grateful to all of our Gala Sponsors who gave so generously to make this event the huge success that it was. We want to thank Barbara Harrison, NBC4 Anchor and Host of Wednesday's Child, who postponed her vacation to be the evening's emcee; Donald Graham, Chairman of the Washington Post Company, for presenting the Mary McGrory Advocacy Award to Sr. Josephine; and Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, for his leadership gift and for saying the benediction.

Students from Holy Child High School greeted guests and welcomed them to the outdoor cocktail reception. The reception featured wonderful food and drink, talented young jazz musicians from Elizabeth Seton High School and The Heights School, a stilt walker, a juggler, a magician, and even an Abraham Lincoln impersonator! Together they created a fun and festive atmosphere that kept the emphasis on children.

The mood carried over to the sit-down dinner as guests found their tables decorated in bright, primary colors with custom centerpieces created by St. Ann's High School Principal and artist, Valerie Swain. At each table-setting, a card shared the story of a former St. Ann's resident and powerfully conveyed the human impact of St. Ann's work on behalf of at-risk children and young mothers. During dinner, guests were entertained by gifted piano player and Georgetown Visitation student Channing Gatewood, who is the daughter of St. Ann's COO Peggy Gatewood. Guests raved about the delicious food and special dessert created in honor of the 150th Anniversary.

Of course, the highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Mary McGrory Advocacy Award to Sr. Josephine Murphy, St. Ann's former long-term administrator, for her tireless work on behalf of at-risk children. Throughout her long career in child care, Sr. Josephine has been a true champion of the rights of abused and neglected children, and a loving presence in the lives of all of the children for whom she has cared.

Below, Sr. Josephine Murphy accepts the Mary McGrory Advocacy Award; at bottom, Sister MaryBader, Archbishop Wuerl, Barbara Harrison and Don Graham at the Gala. Pictures by Michael Colella.