Our 2025 Women, Words, & Wisdom event celebrated women’s voices, leadership, and stories that spark change, motivation, and inspiration. Guests enjoyed an evening of thought-provoking conversation, storytelling, and community. Melanie Lawson, our well-respected journalist and anchor at WJXT News4JAX, interviewed Amanda Nguyen, a globally recognized civil rights activist and sexual assault survivor in a “fireside chat” setting, creating a casual and intimate conversation that fostered a sense of connection with our audience. We also honored 5 Unsung Sheros and commemorated the 30th anniversary of providing hope and healing in Northeast Florida. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this celebration a huge success. We hope you will save the date for 2026! Please scroll down to learn more about this amazing annual event!
Women, Words & Wisdom is an annual event that takes place annually on August 26 which is Women’s Equality Day, a national day celebrating the importance of the women’s suffrage movement and the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
Amanda Nguyen, our guest speaker for Women, Words and Wisdom was truly inspirational!
Amanda set aside her dream of becoming an astronaut to champion legislative change. She founded and now leads RISE, a powerful nonprofit social movement organization that successfully crafted the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights. This groundbreaking legislation passed unanimously in Congress and was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2016. Her advocacy earned her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2019, and she was credited with igniting the pivotal worldwide coverage of the Stop Asian Hate movement in 2021. Honored globally, she was named TIME Magazine Woman of the Year (2022) and was recognized with numerous awards for her work. On April 14, 2025, she became the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman to fly to space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. In a heartfelt interview immediately following her flight, she shared, “I studied the stars—astrophysics at Harvard and MIT—but life got in the way. In this moment, I just want all survivors to know: “You can heal. No dream is too wild
When you become a Women’s Center of Jacksonville (WCJ) sponsor, you help continue to build awareness for sexual violence and improve the lives of survivors through advocacy, support and education. Our rape recovery services include a 24/7 sexual assault hotline, forensic exams, trauma-informed therapy for depression, anxiety, stress, grief, and PTSD, and campus/community programs focused on prevention and support for women facing breast cancer. ALL funds raised ensure that services remain 100% FREE for everyone in Duval, Nassau and Baker Counties.
For additional information or sponsorship questions, please contact Maria Johnson, Director of Development (904) 722-3000 Ext. 203 or email: mjohnson@thewcj.org
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS &
TO DELORES BARR WEAVER, OUR MATCH SPONSOR!
Shero Photography Sponsor
Bar Sponsors
Sharon Simmons
Kathy Trinh
Teresa Miles & Don Sheppard
James Lee & Christina Hartley
Barbara Barrett & Ellen Thrower
Laura VanZee
Chandra Manning
Marsha Base & Cheryl Hemmerle
Zimmerman Family Foundation
Amy Ruth
Betty Carley
Dr. Wade Barnes & Nancy Barnes
Annie Egan
Laura Mengon Duran
Cyndi Koan
Beth Clark
Mary Strickland
The Cheesy Book Club
Trisha Meili & Jim Schwarz
Wallace LaPrade & Carolyn McClanahan
Matt & Karen Fairbairn
James & Theresa Simak
Dr. Dale Clifford
Clare Aronow and Rich Bonneau
Shirley Webb
Tina Wirth & Carrie King
John Palamaro
Kellie Kelleher-Smith & Jason Smith
Pablo Gonzales
Marcus & Alma Ballard