Celebrating for a Cause

The nation’s Capitol is no stranger to seeing celebs, politicos, and journalists come together, and the White House Correspondent’s Garden Brunch is no exception. Everyone from Joan Rivers to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis came out to kick off the weekend events for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and rally for a cause. What started out as a backyard shindig 18 years ago, has transformed into one of the must-attend events, and for the third year in a row tying in an important message. This year’s event raised awareness for CURE Epilepsy and the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (WRA).   

Network television producer and former MSNBC executive Tammy Haddad hosted the brunch citing the importance of these charities. “This brunch has become a staple for the White House Correspondents’ events, so I figured why not ask some of my friends to give a little money and highlight some important causes,” she said.

NAACP Chair Ben Jealous revealed epilepsy is a disorder that hits home. “I suffer from epilepsy, and there is no better platform for the CURE foundation than a place that brings people from all walks of life together to address this issue.” 

The program featured remarks from White House senior political advisor David Axelrod and his wife Susan, whose daughter suffers from epilepsy. The Axelrod’s founded CURE back in 1998.   

Businesswoman Wendi Murdoch co-hosted the event in support of WRA, which is an international coalition that pushes for change to make pregnancy and childbirth safe around the world. Murdoch’s grandmother died while giving birth to her mother.

The affair was held at the Beall-Washington house in Georgetown and guests dined on crab cakes, mini grilled cheese sandwiches, and D.C.’s own reality star Georgetown Cupcakes provided the dessert. Other attendees included author and radio host Michael Eric Dyson, Urban Radio’s April Ryan and recording executive Kevin Liles. 

(Image courtesy of White Ribbon and CURE Epilepsy)