Julie Bowen and Linda Cardellini on the Red Carpet
Inside The 2023 Step Up Los Angeles Inspiration Awards
On October 6, Step Up held its 2023 Inspiration Awards at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Guests celebrated 25 years of Step Up mentorship at the annual fête where they heard from girls and mentors who have been involved with the organization over the years. Guests joined Step Up CEO Delores Druilhet Morton in recognizing 2023’s honorees, executive honoree Suzanne Lerner, and teen adult honoree Gladis Ramirez. All photos by Le Studio Photography.
Mentors from the inaugural 25 Mentors of The Year List in honor of the 25th Anniversary in attendance included Julie Bowen (Modern Family) and journalist Lisa Ling, along with VIP guests including Linda Cardellini (Dead To Me), Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul), Garcelle Beauvais (Spiderman: Homecoming), Melissa Peterman (Young Sheldon), Abigail Spencer (Suits) and Maggie Lawson (Psych).
The new 25 Mentors of The Year distinction was reserved for those who serve as role models in the community for defining and pursuing dreams of success demonstrated through their impactful work, journeys, and characters. The full list of 25 Mentors of the Year can be found here.
2023 Step Up Inspiration Awards at The Skirball Center in Los Angeles.
The lunchtime fête also held a live fundraiser at the event bringing Step Up’s overall gala contributions up to $600,000 – – an all-time high for the organization.
ABOUT STEP UP:
Through structured mentorship programs, focused support, and inspiring connections, Step Up guides girls, and those who identify with girlhood, towards their unique goals and visions of success: first, by identifying those goals and then, building the roadmap to get there.
Under the guidance of CEO, Delores Druilhet Morton has masterfully navigated the nonprofit through pandemic challenges to adopt a new 5-year strategic vision and expand Step Up’s mentorship programs to girls nationwide. She also unveiled programs and supports for young women ages 18-29, marking the first time the organization offered services for those who had already graduated from high school. During her tenure, the organization has expanded programming to two new cities and, through virtual programming, made mentoring accessible around the globe. For more, connect at suwn.org.
