Bushnell Event Features Wesleyan’s Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean, Student Testimonials

West Hartford – The Bushnell glowed from within on October 23 as the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation welcomed more than 350 guests to its 2024 Luminary Celebration fundraiser -- and grossed a record $124,000 in the process.

“It was an absolutely inspiring evening—the level of generosity was astounding! This is a community that believes in the power and potential of women and girls and puts that belief into practice,” said Aurora Executive Director Jenny Steadman, Ph.D. “And to see the students on stage, but even more to see them connecting with mentors and role models in the audience, truly brought home the power of Aurora’s community.”

The fundraising portion of the evening was electrified by the announcement of an extraordinary $25,000 matching-gift challenge from West Hartford residents Anne and Jim Carroll, who matched every Luminary donation dollar for dollar, up to $25,000.

“I am proud to have been part of the Aurora community since 2018,” said Anne Carroll. “Every year I learn more about the great and growing need to support women and girls in our communities. I am continually amazed by the passion of the leaders and luminaries involved with the Aurora Foundation and their work to leverage donations and find creative ways to make a real impact on women and girls in CT.”

Proceeds from the event will support Aurora’s community investments, especially in local College Success programs and groundbreaking research about women and girls in CT.  In 2024, Aurora has invested a record $550,000+ in the community in support of women and girls.

Among the evening’s highlights: a moving presentation in Belding Theater with stirring remarks from students participating in the College Success programs as well as a keynote address from Wesleyan professor Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean that elicited a standing ovation.

“The great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: ‘Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary,’” said Dr. Brown-Dean, who is also the host of the CT Public radio show and podcast Disrupted.

“Indeed, it is much easier to reach the finish line, when you have a head start,” she continued. “And yet, too many in our community struggle to push off the starting block … that is the charge that Aurora has accepted: to not merely focus on inviting in, but to commit more to going out, and listening. Listening to the voices of individuals and communities who are too often underrepresented and underserved.”

Dr. Brown-Dean's appearance at the Luminary Celebration was generously supported by Aurora’s partner Liberty Bank. “We are thankful for their meaningful investment,” said Steadman.

Aurora is grateful to the following Community Partners for their annual operating support: Ares Management; Barnes Group; the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity (CWCSEO); Cowdery, Murphy & Healy; Eastern CT State University; Eversource Energy; Family First Life; the Goss Family; the Green & Blue Foundation; KeyBank; Liberty Bank; Max Cares Foundation; NBT Bank; Jennifer W. Pennoyer, MD;  PeoplesBank; PNT Data; Pullman and Comley; Robinson + Cole; Ruel Ruel Burns Feldman & Britt; Shipman & Goodwin; Symetra; Tokio Marine HHC; Trinity College; UConn Health Disparities; The Village for Families and Children; Trinity College; Wealthspire; Whittlesey; and the YWCA Hartford Region.