Equality Now names Giuffre, Pelicot and Darian for 2026 gala honors

Equality Now will honor Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Gisèle Pelicot and Caroline Darian at its 15th annual Make Equality Reality Gala on Oct. 21 in New York City. The event will also include a tribute to Board Chair Emerita Gloria Steinem and feature a theme centered on courage in the fight for women’s equality.

Why it matters: - Equality Now is using its annual gala to spotlight survivors and advocates whose cases have shaped the global conversation on sexual violence, consent and women’s rights. - The honors come as Equality Now marks 15 years of the Make Equality Reality Gala and continues its push for legal and systemic change for women and girls.

What happened: - Equality Now announced that the 15th annual Make Equality Reality Gala will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City. - The gala theme is Choose Courage. - The organization will posthumously present the Courage Award to Virginia Roberts Giuffre. - Equality Now will give the Trailblazer Award to Gisèle Pelicot and Caroline Darian. - Sky and Amanda Roberts will accept Giuffre’s award on her behalf. - The event will include a tribute to Gloria Steinem, Equality Now’s Board Chair Emerita.

The details: - Equality Now says the Choose Courage theme celebrates people who use their voices, platforms and influence to stand together for equality, dignity and justice for women and girls. - Giuffre’s family carries her work forward through Speak Out, Act, Reclaim, a charity for survivors of sex trafficking, abuse or domestic violence. - The Trailblazer Award recognizes people whose actions help transform systems, institutions and culture affecting women and girls. - Pelicot and Darian’s advocacy has drawn more attention to drug-facilitated sexual assault and consent. - Darian recently launched an advocacy campaign through M’endorspas that urges people who suspect they have been drugged and sexually assaulted to come forward. - The gala host will be Joyelle Nicole Johnson. - Music artist Ray Angry, Sarah Jones, Jamia Wilson, Equality Now CEO Mona Sinha and contributors including Margaret Atwood are listed among the guests, with more to be announced. - Equality Now says tickets and additional gala information are available through its gala page.

Between the lines: - The honorees reflect Equality Now’s emphasis on survivors whose stories have become public touchpoints for broader systems change. - The tribute to Steinem signals continuity between the organization’s legacy leadership and its current advocacy agenda. - The gala also functions as a fundraising and visibility moment for Equality Now’s global women’s rights work.

What's next: - Equality Now will hold the gala on Oct. 21 in New York City. - The organization says more contributors will be announced before the event. - The evening will formally recognize the honorees and the tribute to Steinem during the program.

The bottom line: - Equality Now is turning its 2026 gala into a high-profile show of support for survivors, advocates and the push for legal equality for women and girls.