Previous Be Beautiful Be Yourself Galas

2011 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala

On November 16, 2011, The Global Down Syndrome Foundation held its inaugural Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala in Washington, D.C. Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul, performed live at the gala at the J.W. Marriott. Washington’s most powerful and influential leaders and professional athletes gathered to support Down syndrome research and advocacy at the Linda Crnic Institute.

2011 Global Down Syndrome Foundation Ambassador Alex Sessions escorting Gladys Knight down the runway at the Be Beautiful, Be Yourself Gala in Washington, DC.

The Foundation honored Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) & Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), two Congressional champions for the cause, with the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award for their strong support and advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities. More than 600 friends of the Foundation attended, including national and local celebrities, congressional leaders, administration officials, ambassadors from around the world, members of the media, and senior corporate and association executives who share a commitment to human rights, civil rights and people with Down syndrome.

The 2011 Ambassador for the Washington, D.C. event was Alex Sessions, the son of Rep. Sessions, who is a 17-year-old self advocate and a third-generation Eagle Scout. He has won Special Olympic medals in swimming, basketball and track. The Sessions family was in attendance and are important supporters and advocates of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.

The event included cocktails, dinner, and a full-scale fashion show featuring beautiful guest models with Down syndrome, escorted by celebrities and professional athletes. The evening was capped off with music from the “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight, who was escorted down the runway by Ambassador Sessions.

Click on the image to view the full invitation to the 2011 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala:

2011 DC Invitation

Read more about the 2011 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala in Washington, D.C.

2012 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Kickoff Party

In 2012, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation held a Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala Kickoff Party in preparation for the 2013 Gala. The July 19, 2012, event featured Brad Hennefer, DeOndra Dixon, Virginia Williams, Bob Guiney, Scott Grimes and several members of Congress.
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