Loida Lewis to receive lifetime award from Womankind, is serenaded by Madrigal Singers

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Honored for her contributions to Asian American communities

Honored for her contributions to Asian American communities

Businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis, widow of TLC Beatrice Founder and CEO Reginald F. Lewis, will receive The Phoenix Lifetime Achievement Award at Womankind’s 35th Anniversary Benefit Gala on November 1, 2017, for her contributions to Asian American communities through her advocacy, influence, and generosity.

Formerly the New York Asian Women’s Center, Womankind is a leader in providing innovative and award-winning multilingual and culturally responsive services to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual violence and later in life abuse. For 35 years, Womankind has helped Asian women and their children rise above trauma and build a path to healing through counseling, safe and confidential emergency housing, immigration and legal services, economic empowerment programs and so much more.

“Every woman deserves the opportunity to rise above violence,” said Nicolas Lewis. “I applaud Womankind on its mission of providing refuge, recovery and renewal for countless women across New York City, my home. Womankind proves that, together, we can end the violence and trafficking that plague our society.”

Lewis was chairperson and CEO of TLC Beatrice, LLC, a family investment firm. A lawyer by profession, she was admitted to practice in the Philippines and New York. Lewis was the first Filipino woman to pass the New York bar without attending law school in the United States.

Having won her discrimination case against the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1987, she integrated the agency now called Citizenship & Immigration Service (CIS). She co-authored “How to Get A Green Card,” now in its 12th edition and a bestseller in its genre.

Lewis is one of the founders of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA) and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), as well as chair of U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance.

With The Madz at her home. ‘What a Wonderful World’ brought tears to her eyes.

With The Madz at her home. ‘What a Wonderful World’ brought tears to her eyes.

TLC Beatrice International was a $2 billion multinational food company with operations all across Europe, from 1994-2000. She assumed its leadership after the death of her husband, Wall Street financier Reginald F. Lewis who, in 1987, engineered a leveraged buyout for $985 million of Beatrice International Food, thus becoming the first African American to create a billion dollar company.

A patron of the arts, Lewis recently hosted the Philippine Madrigal Singers in her home in Manhattan. The Madz is the first chorale group in the world to win the world-renowned European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice. On their way to the prestigious competition in Tolosa, Spain, they were hosted by Lewis in her home on October 4 before their performance at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on Park Avenue on October 6.

The delegation of 25 presented “Awit sa Ina ng Santa Rosaryo,” arranged by Fr. Carlo Magno, “Bukas na lang Kita Mamahalin,” arranged by Craig Hella Johnson, and “What a Wonderful World / Love You,” arranged by Matthew Maniano. The first song was dedicated to Lewis’s older brother, Jay, who just passed away. It was the last song, “What a Wonderful World,” that brought tears to her eyes.

The luncheon was attended by K. Scott Warren, director of Music Ministries of the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola and artistic director of Sacred Music in a Sacred Space; Sara Murphy, executive director of Sacred Music in a Sacred Space; choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio; company manager Perlita Reyes Enrico Lagasca and Leo Leal, alumni and tour Coordinator; and co-hosts Dr. Angie Cruz, Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue. As UNESCO Artists for Peace, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will also be performing at the United Nations on October 10.

© 2017 The FilAm

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