D.C. news anchor Shawn Yancy welcomed more than 350 professionals, celebrities and news personalities this month to her annual event to benefit Safe Shores DC, a nonprofit that works with child victims of sexual and physical abuse.
The annual Girls’ Night Out, an evening of celebrating and fundraising, kicked off with a pink carpet entrance on Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Katzen Arts Center at American University.
“I call this the ultimate party with a purpose, because it is,” said Yancy, founder of Girls’ Night Out and news anchor for WTTG-TV (Channel 5). “There’s something for everyone. Even though it’s called Girls’ Night Out, this is a party for men and women. It’s about celebrating and having fun while giving back.”
Fellow WTTG anchors Allison Seymour, Wisdom Martin, Sue Palka, Tony Perkins, Annie Yu and Tucker Barnes, along with WRC-TV (Channel 4) news anchor Molette Green, served as hosts.
Attendees of the party got mini-makeovers, shopped at pop-up boutiques and witnessed the main event, the runway fashion show featuring local designers Amanda Casarez, Christopher Schafer and Anya by Vivien.
The proceeds from the event will go to Safe Shores DC and The Ivy Foundation of Washington, a community foundation established by Xi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., to help young people achieve healthy, productive outcomes through academics, mentoring and higher education.
Since starting Girls’ Night Out in 2010 with a handful of girlfriends in her dining room, Yancy said the effort has provided thousands of dollars, clothing and toys to various charities and shelters in the Washington area.
“Our mission is to help charities working to empower and improve the lives of women, children and families in our community,” Yancy said. “We donate clothing, toys, money, gift cards and our time. As long as there’s a need, we’ll be here, working to fulfill it.”