Nearly 500 women and men packed the lovely Beverly Hills Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for what has become Southern California’s largest annual gathering of progressive women leaders.

Some came to hear Peggy Orenstein, the best-selling author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter, who with equal parts humor and insight portrayed the challenges facing girls and their parents in American society. Others were there for Suzy Marks, a longtime supporter of LAANE and advisory board member, who charmed everyone with her grace and humility. Still others came for Diana Bonta, VP of Public Relations at Kaiser, who left the room spellbound with her stirring call for health care equity.