19th Annual Knock-Out Abuse Against Women Gala

[Ann Walker Marchant, Nancy Sonnabend, Clarisse Walker, Ann Jordan, Kelly Dibble, Rebecca Williams]

On November 1, The Ritz-Carlton was home to the 19th Annual Knock Out Abuse Against Women fundraisging gala. The Moulin Rouge themed event raised approximately $600,000 to benefit the initiatives of local charities that support victims of domestic violence.

Carré Otis, former super model and actress, was honored for her service on the Advisory Board of The Model Alliance, a non-profit group establishing fair labor standards for models. Otis also authored a memoir entitled Beauty, Dis-rupted, in which she recalls her own experiences with domestic violence. WUSA 9's Andrea Roane emceed the event while Doug E. Fresh the original human beat-box, supplied some entertainment.

The sold-out event featured a live auction that included a Presidential inaugural package with a 2-night stay at the Four Seasons hotel with Rolls-Royce car service and custom Manolo Blahnik shoes. The proceeds from the event will benefit Bethany House of North Virginia, Corssway Community, Safe Shores and DC Volunteer Lawyers Project.

[Andre Wells, Sandi Hoffman, Debra Jean Overholt]

[Michelle Schoenfeld, Jill Sorenson]

[images courtesy Knock-Out Abuse]