![IMG_9950[96]](https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_995096.jpg?w=1200 "A celebration of wellness at the Barnard 2024 Gala 1")
On April 15, Barnard College hosted its Annual Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, marking it a memorable evening celebrating this year’s theme “A Celebration of Wellness.”
The event was in honor of — Dr. Helene D. Gayle ’76 and Francine A. LeFrak. Co-Chairs and esteemed Board of Trustees, Amy Crate ’94 and Caroline Bliss Spencer ’09, set the tone for the evening with their heartfelt welcome remarks.
The event focused on celebrating the new wellness center opening on the upper Manhattan campus in Fall 2024. The mission of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being is to unite initiatives that address the key dimensions of health and wellness, using holistic well-being support to propel success throughout the Barnard community. The Center will provide a centralized home to elevate Barnard’s commitment to three core pillars of wellness – physical, mental and financial.
More than 600 guests took their seats for the dinner program, the atmosphere was electrifying, filled with anticipation for the festivities to come.
The legendary Sheila Nevins ’60, presented the award to social entrepreneur and philanthropist Francine A. LeFrak. Nevins said, “Francine has stepped out of line to make the world a better place and she champions women. Francine’s generosity really knows no limits. When there is need, there is a place for Francine and she takes it.”
“Excellence and commitment are woven into every aspect of the Francine A LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being. When women have the courage to take control of their finances, their mental and physical health improves, ensuring a chance for independence,” said LeFrak.
Barnard will open the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being later this Fall.
Dr. Gayle praised Barnard by saying, “for giving me the determination and courage to try to be a changemaker throughout my career and the opportunity I now have to serve as President of a sister school where I can help to shape visions for the next generation of women[…]”.
