Aqua Girl celebrates its 13th anniversary May 2-6 and more than 100 women and men attended a VIP fundraiser Saturday night at the Miami Beach home of Larry Hyer.
Aqua Girl® traces its beginnings to the year 1999. That year, Alison Burgos and NYC’s legendary women’s producer, Shescape, gathered a committee of like-minded women from around South Florida to produce an exciting one-night event to benefit breast cancer. The event, Sweet Charity, was an extraordinary dance event bringing together over 800 women and raising over $15,000 for two local breast cancer organizations, Cancer Link and Gilda’s Club.
In 2000, Sweet Charity grew into an entire weekend of events and Aqua Girl® was born. The goal was to create a dynamic national fundraising weekend celebrating women and the issues that affect them. Women descended on Miami from all over the world and the first year of this spectacular weekend of events was a huge success.
We can’t believe how time flies. Now in its thirteenth fabulous year, Aqua Girl® continues to attract women from all corners of the country, the Americas and around the globe. The week continues to grow with an ever-expanding variety of events that enhance its appeal and have created what is now one of the hottest women’s festivals in the country.
At Aqua Girl® there is something for everyone. We have dance parties, a comedy show, live music, pool parties, a bowlathon, a jazz brunch, a dine-out event, a VIP reception, celebrity meet-and-greets, and so much more. Having so much fun never did so much good.
As the largest charity women’s week in the country, your participation in Aqua Girl® contributes to a very good cause. In fact, 100% of the proceeds from Aqua Girl® benefit the Aqua Foundation for Women, a not-for-profit-foundation whose primary mission is to serve as a funding catalyst for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender wellness and equality in South Florida through grants, scholarships, and initiatives.
Monies raised during the Foundation’s signature week, as well as through individual and corporate donations, go directly to educate, empower and foster the lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women’s communities throughout South Florida.
Over the past seven years the AFW has giving out over $400,000 in grants and scholarships while empowering hundreds of women to be engaged in our community.
Click the photo to view a gallery from the party. Photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff.
