The two women met for the first time last week at a sleek Georgetown hotel, where they were speakers at a glittering charity dinner. They shook hands and hugged across a vast gulf of culture, geography and faith: one a devout Muslim from West Africa with her hair carefully hidden under a tight scarf, the other a gregarious South Asian in a stylish sari and costume earrings.

Tahirih’s 10th Anniversary Fundraising Benefit was a moving celebration of 10 years of service dedicated to courageous women and girls seeking justice from gender-based violence.

Nearly 400 distinguished guests and participants honored courageous women and girls seeking justice from gender-based violence.