NUMBERS TOO BIG TO IGNORE

LUNCHEON

Numbers Too Big To Ignore is AWF's annual fundraising luncheon that funds nonprofit programs improving the lives of women and girls throughout metro Atlanta. Now in its 29th year, the event attracts over 1,600 attendees who are interested in becoming catalysts for change by strengthening communities and helping women and girls thrive.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Arrival & Networking: 11:00am

Lunch & Program: Noon - 1:30pm

Thomas Murphy Ballroom,
Georgia World Congress Center

Click Here to Sponsor, Host a Table, or to Purchase a Ticket!

Featured Speaker

Hoda Kotb

Journalist, author, entertainer, advocate

An Emmy-winning journalist, bestselling author, and longtime broadcaster, Hoda Kotb has been a household name for decades. She recently retired from her role as co-anchor of NBC News’ TODAY and co-host of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, where she inspired millions with her warmth, wisdom, and authenticity.

Hoda’s career spans over 30 years of groundbreaking journalism, from reporting on global events like the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, and the Olympics to conducting powerful interviews and sharing human-interest stories. She has received multiple Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, a Gracie Award, and an Edward R. Murrow Award for her outstanding contributions to journalism.

Beyond the news desk, Hoda is a New York Times bestselling author, having penned several books on resilience, overcoming adversity, and embracing life’s unexpected turns. A 12-year breast cancer survivor, she is a passionate advocate for cancer awareness and empowering women to take charge of their health and futures.

View Previous Featured Speakers

2024: Molly Shannon

Actress and Advocate
for Women & Girls

From her groundbreaking work on Saturday Night Live to her New York Times best-selling heartfelt memoir Hello Molly!, Molly’s life and career are a testament to the power of transformation.

At age four, Molly Shannon’s world was shattered when she lost her mother, baby sister, and cousin in a car accident with her father at the wheel. Held together by her tender and complicated relationship with her grieving father, Molly was raised in a permissive household where her gift for improvising and role-playing blossomed alongside the fearlessness that would lead her to become a celebrated actress.

From there, Molly ventured into the wider world of New York and Los Angeles show business, where she created her own opportunities and developed her daring and empathetic comedy. Her style helped pave the way for fellow female comedians who refused to fit the mold.

2023: Brooke Shields

Actress, Model, Author, and

Advocate for Women & Girls

Brooke Shields has spent her life in the spotlight. At the young age of 14, she was America's Sweetheart, but that didn't spare her the difficulties and insecurities faced by so many.

In a conversation that deftly navigates between heartfelt and humorous, Shields talks candidly about her career trajectory and life in the public eye, living with an alcoholic parent, and her own experiences as a mother.

In her recent documentary, Pretty Baby, Shields critiques a toxic culture that perpetuates misogyny, in which she claims is complicit in the sexualization of young girls. In the documentary, Shields also shares her discovery of her own identity, sharing her vulnerability while reflecting on her life, career, and struggles with motherhood. Overcoming those struggles motivated Shields to pave a better path for women and young girls.

2022: Rita Moreno

Award-Winning Actress, Dancer

and Singer; Advocate for Latino

and Women's Rights

Rita Moreno has won all four of the most prestigious awards in show business: an Oscar, a Tony, two Emmys, and a Grammy. Her countless credits span more than seven decades, beginning with her Broadway debut at age 13. In addition to her illustrious film and television career, Rita has headlined as a guest artist with symphony orchestras, released an all-Spanish language music album, written a New York, and given lectures and talks around the country.

Recipient of the Peabody Career Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions to American culture, Rita was also honored by her peers as the 50th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

She recently served as Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. Rita was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush and the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.

Rita Moreno's first foray into social justice was attending the March on Washington with Martin Luther King, Jr. "I was there when he uttered the 'I Have a Dream' speech," she said. She continued to be a conscious activist throughout her career, fighting for Latino and women's rights.

2020-2021: Condoleezza Rice

Former United States Secretary of State

Condoleezza Rice is currently the Denning Professor in Global Business and the Economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business; the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution; and a professor of Political Science at Stanford University. Rice has been a professor of Political Science on the Stanford faculty since 1981. She is also a founding partner of RiceHadleyGates, LLC.

From January 2005 to 2009, Rice served as the 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the second woman and first African American woman to hold the post. Rice also served as President George W. Bush’s Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor) from January 2001 to 2005, the first woman to hold the position.

Rice has authored and coauthored numerous books, including three bestsellers. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been awarded thirteen honorary doctorates.

Additional Past Numbers Speakers

1997 Jane Fonda & Gloria Steinem
1998 Maya Angelou
1999 Christiane Amanpour
2000 Naomi Wolf
2001 Ann Richards
2002 Marian Wright Edelman
2003 Barbara Ehrenreich
2004 Cokie Roberts
2005 Ellen Goodman
2006 Sarah Jones
2007 Jamie Lee Curtis
2008 Naomi Tutu
2009 Nicholas Kristof
2010 Malaak Compton-Rock
2011 Muhtar Kent
2012 Edie Weiner
2013 Susan Taylor
2014 Patti Sellers
2015 Jane Pauley
2016 Jane Fonda & Gloria Steinem
2017 Madeleine Albright
2018 Laura W. Bush & Dr. Jill Biden
2019 Gayle King

Luncheon Co-Chairs

Lindsay Hill

Georgia Power
AWF Board of Directors

Leslie Walker

PwC
AWF Board of Directors

Corporate Sponsorship Levels

We offer various registration and sponsorship levels for our Numbers Too Big To Ignore Luncheon. The funds we raise go toward funding nonprofit programs that serve metro Atlanta women and girls. Through your support, we can strengthen our communities, break the cycle of poverty, and improve the lives of women and girls.

For sponsorship questions, please email sarwood@atlantawomen.org.

Presenting Sponsorship

The Presenting sponsorship is $100,000, and there is only one available.

Benefits include:

- Three tables of 10; V.I.P. Plus seating.

- Speaker V.I.P. Opportunity

- Recognition as Presenting Sponsor.

- Verbal recognition from the podium.

- Dedicated press release.

- Opportunity to introduce the speaker.

- Minimum of three social media mentions.

- Minimum of three e-advertisements included in e-mail marketing.

- Prominent logo recognition on the event invitation*, event website, email marketing, event video screens, program**, reception signage, and table signage.

- Commercial played Pre-Lunch

- Two full-page ads in the digital luncheon program; one full-page ad in the printed program.

Leading Sponsorship

The Leading sponsorship is $50,000.

Benefits include:

- Two tables of 10; VIP seating.

- Speaker V.I.P. Opportunity

- Recognition as Leading Sponsor.

- Verbal recognition from the podium.

- Minimum of two social media mentions.

- Minimum of two e-advertisements included in e-mail marketing.

- VIP logo recognition on the event invitation*, event website, email marketing, event video screens, program**, reception signage, and table signage.

- Commercial played Pre-Lunch.

- One full-page ad in the digital luncheon program.

Benefitting Sponsorship

The Benefitting sponsorship is $25,000.

Benefits include:

- One table of 10; Premium Plus seating.

- Speaker V.I.P. Opportunity

- Recognition as Benefitting Sponsor.

- Verbal recognition from the podium (as a group).

- Minimum of one social media mention.

- Minimum of one e-advertisement included in e-mail marketing.

- Premium Plus logo recognition on the event invitation, event website, email marketing, event video screens, program, reception signage, and table signage.

- One half-page ad in the digital luncheon program.

Supporting Sponsorship

The Supporting sponsorship is $15,000.

Benefits include:

- One table of 10; Premium seating.

- Speaker V.I.P. Opportunity

- Recognition as Supporting Sponsor.

- Verbal recognition from the podium (as a group).

- Minimum of one e-advertisement included in e-mail marketing.

- Premium logo recognition on the event invitation, event website, email marketing, event video screens, program, reception signage, and table signage.

- One quarter-page ad in the digital luncheon program.

Connecting Sponsorship

Partnering Sponsorship

Event Sponsorship

Table Host

Ticket

Fund-the-Mission Donor Opportunities

In addition to sponsorships, AWF accepts donations for The Numbers Too Big to Ignore Luncheon event to help Fund-the-Mission. You can become a Fund-the-Mission donor before, during, or after the event through your online giving! Recognition will be given to donors at the Luncheon for gifts of $1,000 and above given at the Catalyst Society level.

Fund-the-Mission donations are separate from or in addition to sponsorships. No tangible benefits, including Luncheon event tickets, will be given in exchange for a Fund-the-Mission donation.

Donor Advised Funds (DAF) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) are two ways you can easily give to Fund-the-Mission! While there are great tax benefits to the donor for both DAF and QCD gifts, there are limitations in how you direct these dollars, especially as it relates to special events. You cannot pay for your event sponsorship or partial sponsorship through your DAF or QCD. This includes Benevity Causes used by many corporations.