Diane von Furstenberg Gathered Iman, Karlie Kloss, RBG, and More to Her 2020 DVF Awards

Among the things Diane von Furstenberg is celebrated for include her wrap dress, inspiring women to be who they want to be, and a fabulous head of tousled hair. But perhaps most toast-worthy is DVF’s commitment to the celebration of others, particularly other women. Of course, she’s empowered women via needle and thread but also through her philanthropy work and her annual DVF Awards ceremony, which shines a light on extraordinary women effecting much-needed change.

Hosted at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., last night, the awards—now in their 11th year—honored Iman, Priti Patkar, Saskia Niño de Rivera, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (Previous honorees include Anita F. Hill, Misty Copeland, Dr. Jane Goodall, Gloria Steinem, and Alicia Keys.) The ceremony began with Iman ascending the stage to thank DVF for awarding her the Inspiration Award, an accolade that nodded to her recent appointment as global advocate for humanitarian organization CARE. Iman went on to praise women in general and their no-nonsense, can-do attitudes. “If you want something done, ask a busy woman,” she joked.

Priti Patkar was next presented with the International Award for her work to end intergenerational trafficking in the red-light district of Mumbai. “I’m accepting this [award] on behalf of all the women and children who have been victims of sex trafficking, who I’ve worked for [for] the last 32 years,” she announced to an audience visibly moved by Patkar’s unwavering dedication.

Karlie Kloss, in a sequined mini, then took the stage to bestow the second International Award to Saskia Niño de Rivera, for her prison reform efforts in Mexico. “Justice in my country is in crisis,” pressed Rivera in an acceptance speech that doubled as a call to action.

Last onstage in the room, which was set with family-style lounge seating to foster intimacy and camaraderie among the attendees, were two political forces—former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The former presented the Lifetime Leadership Award to the latter, who donned little black gloves for the occasion.

Ginsburg seemed to deflect the spotlight, allowing it to bask all in the room with her words: “What an incredible evening this has been for me. To hear about women who have taken tremendous courage and changed the world. In my long life, I have seen great changes and that’s what makes me an optimist for the future.”