Nancy Pelosi at The 50th Anniversary of Ms. Magazine by Nina Ameri

The 50^th anniversary of Ms. Magazine happened this weekend and I was honored and privileged to have been invited to the event honoring such a historic occasion. Back in 1972, Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pittman Hughes, who were titans in the arena of female activism, started Ms. magazine as a periodical providing feminist news and information to America. The iconic first cover of Ms., depicting a larger-than-life Wonder Woman, hit the shelves and their powerful voices have been helping to shape thought on social issues ever since.

I had the pleasure of meeting Iranian actor and activist Nazanin Boniadi (The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power), who has used her platform to call for an end to gender apartheid in her home country. She is a young and talented leader carrying on the traditions that Ms. Magazine has been championing since its inception. Hers is a voice to watch for as new generations take up the cause of fighting for equality.

However nice the rest of the event might have been, the absolute highlight of the evening was getting to meet three-time Ms. cover model, first female Speaker of the House, and personal idol, Nancy Pelosi. She has been a female icon in government for over 35 years and watching her set the bar so high for women in politics has been an absolute pleasure. Meeting her in person was just a lovely as one might expect. In our feature photo with Nina is: Nancy Patricia Pelosi (/pəˈloʊsi/ pə-LOH-see; née D’Alesandro; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who served as the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023.

While the entire afternoon at the Bram Goldsmith Theater in Beverly Hills was a delight, it also highlighted how much work still needs to be done for women at home and around the world. There can be no rest until everyone can enjoy the freedoms they deserve as human beings. The motivation that women from Steinem to Boniadi can impart on the populace in astounding. Ms. Magazine has stood as a testament to the power of the unified voices of women.