Tahirih Honored at Maggio & Kattar’s Third Annual Founders’ Day Benefit
On Wednesday, March 16th, the Washington, DC immigration law firm of Maggio & Kattar honored the Tahirih Justice Center at their third Annual Founders’ Day benefit. Inaugurated in 2009 in honor of the firm’s founders, Candace Kattar and the late Michael Maggio, the annual Founders’ Day is an opportunity for Maggio & Kattar to join friends, colleagues, and the immigration community in recognizing and supporting the work of an extraordinary local non-profit organization.
Jeanne Smoot on Maggio & Kattar’s Support
One of the reasons it’s so wonderful to be here with you tonight is that, I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say that without Maggio & Kattar, and without specifically the late and great Michael Maggio, Tahirih might not even be here today, and certainly wouldn’t be where we are today. And so we are very grateful.
The evening was an uplifting celebration of the Tahirih Justice Center’s efforts to provide justice to immigrant women and girls and the essential support that Maggio & Kattar has provided to Tahirih since our inception. Director of Public Policy Jeanne Smoot spoke of the role Michael Maggio played in Tahirih’s creation, quoting Tahirih’s founder Layli Miller-Muro as saying of Michael, “‘For me, he is to credit with everything.’” Watch the video of Jeanne’s speech.
Among the crowd of supporters, delicious food, and DC views, another highlight of the evening was a live performance by organic electronica artist Yoko K. After speaking with Tahirih staff and clients, Yoko was inspired to create a unique piece of art, featuring voice samples of Tahirih staff and clients, as well as Yoko’s own voice and music on keyboard, flute, and saxophone. With a self description of “organic electronica”, the piece was both powerful and utterly one-of-a-kind. Yoko’s performance is difficult to describe and it is impossible to accurately capture her beautiful creation. We urge you to watch the video of Yoko’s performance and experience it for yourself!
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This article is a part of Tahirih’s Spring 2011 newsletter.
