It’s said that people can move mountains. For certain, the Women Funding Science at Albert Einstein College of Medicine are moving science forward via their philanthropic community and mountainous commitments. This past week I had the honor of witnessing this first hand as I joined over 250 supporters at the  Albert Einstein College of Medicine Women’s Division Spirit of Achievement Luncheon with my dear friend Judy Katz, the author of the Silver Disobedience® CelebrEighty columns.

High in the sky at the spectacular Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Center, this Women Funding Science event honored achievements in culture, philanthropy and medicine.

Folk singer Judy Collins was the trailblazer honoree. Collins whose rendition of Both Sides Now, from her landmark album Wildflowers, went on to record 55 albums in total — creating quite a recording legacy with her imaginative musical interpretations of songs.

Changemaker honoree Dr. Marla Keller has been advancing scientific research in a variety of areas for both women’s and men’s health specifically in translational research.

Karen Mandelbaum, a lifelong philanthropist and volunteer was recognized as the philanthropic spirit of achievement honoree. She and her family are stellar examples of giving for the betterment across a broad range of communities and causes.

Broadway producers Fran and Barry Weissler kept the crowd entertained with their visionary spirit award acceptance.  No surprise there as they’ve also received seven Tony Awards for keeping audiences entertained with their Broadway productions of Othello, Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun, La Gage, Pippin and Chicago — America’s longest-running musical.

It was a wonderful event for a worthy institution, which is also the sole namesake research, educational and clinical investigational college in the world that is entitled to use the name of Albert Einstein.  Based on what the Albert Einstein College of Medicine has accomplished in the areas of aging, intellectual development disorders, diabetes, cancer, liver disease and AIDS, along with research in neuroscience, cardiac disease and health disparities — the Einstein legacy of science and innovation appears to be living on while bringing new advancements to many in real time.

The organization credits for this outstanding event go to co-presidents Trudy Schlachter and Terri Goldberg along with luncheon chairs Carol Roman, Betty Pantries Schwartz and Andrea Stark.  These women, along with all the honorees and those who have contributed to these advances provide solid evidence that, Yes, people can be change makers and move mountains of great things forward.

Learn more in any of the links or at @EinsteinMed