BOSTON — 250 guests attended Girls’ LEAP’s Empowerment Gala which honored The Boston Globe’s Renée Graham “for raising her voice and deepening our conversation about race and racism, domestic violence, and LGBTQ issues.”

The gala, held on November 13, 2019 at the State Room atop 60 State Street in downtown Boston, is held to support Girls’ LEAP’s mission of interrupting the cycle of violence by empowering girls and young women to value and champion their own safety and well-being. The Dorchester-based nonprofit teaches girls that they have a right to be safe and how to defend themselves when necessary. Girls’ LEAP believes that all girls deserve to grow up safe and free from violence – and that empowerment is violence prevention. Their goal is to provide girls with the tools and skills to keep themselves safe, both emotionally and physically. They partner with local schools and community centers to deliver empowerment and self-defense services to girls aged 8-18 in Greater Boston.

This year’s gala honored Graham, associate editor/opinion columnist at The Boston Globe and contributor to WBUR, and featured music by Ripcord, winner of Improper Bostonian Best Band.

All photos by Bill Brett