You’ve Come a Looooong Way, Baby!

Last night the ladies came out en force for the Annual Knock Out Abuse (KOA) Against Women Gala.  They were celebrating 15 years of serving this community by raising awareness about domestic violence as well as money for the handful of KOA’s local Beneficiaries.  These beneficiaries concentrate on stopping domestic abuse and assisting victims of those crimes.

KOA has come a long way.  Past event Chairs Debra Lee, Holly Muldoon, Ann Walker Marchant, Holidae Hayes, and Norma Ramsey were honored last night by KOA Founders Jill Sorensen (no, no relation) and Cheryl Masri.  As each came up to the mic to say a few words of gratitude, it was apparent that they were overwhelmed by how this growing event has come so far from the dinner at Cafe Milano they held their very first year.

Congratulations to all of the Honorees and Founders and thank you to every person who has donated and sponsored in the past and continues to support this very important cause.  It was a gorgeous night and we were fortunate to be there!

Highlights:  Husky-voiced Actress Kathleen Turner (pictured left) MC’d and uh … entertained us while regaling us with uh, colorful jokes … NFL #1 Running Back Washington Redskin Clinton Portis (who wore pink and black striped socks) and teammate Santana Moss (also dressed to kill) were on stage to help in closing the Live Auction items. 

When the ladies were asked the leave and meet the men from Fight Night outside of the locked ballroom doors, we passed the time by getting dripped on by the quickly melting ice bar (it was HOT in there!), drinking more cocktails and flirting (did I say that?). 

Then the doors were reopened to the transformed ballroom and the hounds were unleashed … but as R&B performer Kevin Michael (I felt sorry for him - he had to follow last year’s surprise amazing act: Lenny Kravitz) crooned, only some danced. 

All in all, it was a night to remember and if you were near the Ritz on 22nd Street last night, you got a taste of what “Washington’s Adult Playground” might possibly look like.

Until next year …

To learn more about Knock Out Abuse Against Women, please go to www.knockoutabuse.org

For Fight for Children (Fight Night), please go to www.fightforchildren.org