Alda Cino, Willette Day, Lucille Short, Julia Horman, Katrina Lacaria, Erin Hastick, Lori Gagnon and Tsedeniya Berhane

The Washington Area Women's Foundation held its annual luncheon Wednesday afternoon at the Grand Hyatt near Metro Center.

The keynote speaker was Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) who spoke about her struggles as a single mother finishing law school while pregnant and consequently raising a son, who is now 23. NBC-4's Doreen Gentzler emceed the event.

The Women's Foundation's vision is for the Washington region to be a model community that ensures women and girls are on the path to prosperity.

— Report and photographs by Kate Oczypok

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.)

Nicky Goren, President and CEO of the Washington National Women's Foundation

NBC-4's Doreen Gentzler

Melissa Krause and Celia Lovell

Roxanne Moayedi and Marjan Shallal

Martin Lewis, Christine Giminiani and Jay Vilar

Jan Brice, Barbara Cooper and Ann Cacace

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) hugs Nicky Goren.