TESTIMONIALS
"This is an event that feels like moving art. A meaningful celebration of incredible women and beautiful cultures."
Women of the World encourages our clients to embrace the best of their heritage and the best of America to strengthen themselves and their families.
How it started
A long-time client called Samira late one night crying, telling her what had just happened. Our client had been mugged because of her clothing. Her attacker told her that now that she was in this country, she needed to stop wearing her traditional dress. This client was devastated. Samira was outraged. This was not the community Women of the World knows Salt Lake to be - Samira believed our community was stronger than this man's fear.
In 2010, Samira hosted our first Fashion Show.
She wanted all of our women to never be afraid of embracing and honoring their heritage. And she wanted Salt Lake to celebrate our diversity and to learn more about these individual women.
Where we are now
14 years later, and our Fashion Show Fundraiser & Cultural Gala is our biggest fundraising event of the year. It is a wonderful opportunity to bridge our multiple communities. It offers a great educational & networking opportunity for Utahans and recognizes the bravery, courage & resilience of these women who have survived the unthinkable.
"Our ladies walk united here on this stage. In the true meaning of International Women’s Day, we walk together as sisters. We are not Christians or Muslims, we do not belong to this tribe or cultural heritage group. We are not separate from you as foreign-born or as refugees… we are women, united, beautiful, strong, and friends willing to stand and speak for one another." - Samira Harnish
2024 Event Team
EMCEE
Nora Abu-Dan
Satin Tashnizi
DJ
Shunta Nagano
STAGE MANAGER
Francesca Mintowt-Czyz
PRODUCTION
Madison Limansky
Ryan Cook
REGISTRATION
Candice Stratford
MODEL COORDINATOR
Ryan Cook
AUCTIONEER
Robert Olson
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Jake Campos
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Andrus Family
Vine Lore
Zions Bank
MARKETING DESIGN
Rosa Bandeirinha
VOLUNTEER TEAM
Lilian Bowles
Melanie Vlam-Findeis
Alexx Goeller
SPONSORSHIPS
Debbie Mintowt-Czyz
My Nguyen
EVENT CHAIR
Tracey Thompson
VOLUNTEER LEADS
Emily Herring
Carolyn Ebert
Yolanda Blonquist
Paisley Willenbrecht
Emily Montmeny
