Joy & Liberation is Sadie Nash's signature celebration where community, joy, and bold investment shape the future of young women and gender-expansive leaders of color.

THANK YOU for attending Joy and Liberation 2026! 

It was an honor to celebrate our inspiring Joy & Liberation honorees, whose leadership, advocacy, and commitment to justice embody the values we strive to cultivate in every Nasher: Leadership Honoree, Shana Stephenson; our Petticoat Award recipient, Holly Sidford; our Unstoppable Alumna, Rana Abdelhamid; our Community Partner, New York Liberty. Last but not least, thank you to our amazing Nashers Stacey Agordome and Maggie Sarcos for leading such an incredible conversation on the Joy & Liberation stage. 

Want to join the celebration next year? Click here to Save the Date!

JOY & LIBERATION PHOTOS

2026 HONOREES

At Joy & Liberation, each award reflects a different pathway of leadership and impact within the Sadie Nash community. The Leadership Honoree recognizes a visionary leader who is shaping culture, advancing equity, and modeling bold, values-driven leadership in their field. The Petticoat Award honors longtime champions of Sadie Nash whose sustained generosity, advocacy, and leadership have helped build and carry our work forward. The Unstoppable Alumna Award uplifts a Sadie Nash alum whose leadership continues to create transformative impact, embodying the power of young people to lead change in their communities and beyond. The Community Partner Award celebrates an organization that aligns with our mission and invests in young people through meaningful collaboration.

SPONSORS

TRAILBLAZER

Steph Gromek

Jacqueline S. Schaeffer

COMMUNITY BUILDER

Leonard Schaeffer

Diane Headley

ADVOCATE

Elaine Golin

Holly Sidford

Lauren Klein

Cynthia Gardstein