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Monica Lewinsky will be honored as the Woman of the 21st Century by Women’s Guild Cedars‑Sinai at a spring luncheon on May 7, an event that ties celebrity conversation to local medical fundraising. The spotlight matters now: proceeds will support neurological research and a new pediatric chair at Cedars‑Sinai’s recently opened Guerin Children’s, putting high-profile attention on community health programs.
The luncheon, scheduled for the Beverly Hills Hotel, will be emceed by Entertainment Tonight correspondent Nischelle Turner. Lewinsky will join author and trend strategist Jane Buckingham for a public discussion centered on the theme of reclaiming — the same idea Lewinsky explores in her new podcast.
Why this matters
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Women’s Guild events have long supplied major philanthropic support to Cedars‑Sinai, and this year’s honoree brings widespread recognition to causes that directly affect patients and families. The funds raised at the luncheon will go toward ongoing neurologic research and a newly endowed pediatric chair, accelerating services at a hospital expansion that serves children across Los Angeles.
- When: May 7
- Where: Beverly Hills Hotel
- Host: Nischelle Turner
- Conversation with: Jane Buckingham
- Beneficiaries: Women’s Guild Neurology Project; Distinguished Chair in Pediatrics at Guerin Children’s
- Fundraising activities: Silent auction (designer handbags donated by Elyse Walker), raffle prizes including jewelry from XIV Karats and a luxury hotel stay
Lewinsky’s public role
Since surviving a prominent 1990s scandal, Lewinsky has rebuilt her public life around advocacy, media and storytelling. She has written and spoken about the harms of online shaming and cyberbullying, and her 2015 TED Talk, “The Price of Shame,” has reached a global audience with more than 25 million views. Her producing credits include high‑profile documentary and drama projects, and she serves with anti‑bullying initiatives both in the U.K. and the U.S.
Her presence at the luncheon signals that the conversation about social media’s human cost remains urgent. For organizers, Lewinsky’s voice helps translate national attention into local donations that fund research and patient care.
Jane Buckingham and the panel angle
Jane Buckingham brings a marketing and youth‑culture lens to the conversation. A serial entrepreneur who sold the Youth Intelligence and Cassandra Report businesses to CAA, Buckingham now runs Trendera, advising large brands on cultural shifts and consumer behavior. She has authored lifestyle guides and served on several nonprofit boards, and will guide the discussion toward themes of resilience and reinvention.
Expect the conversation to probe personal recovery and public responsibility rather than focus on scandal — an approach aimed at connecting Lewinsky’s experience to broader efforts to prevent online harm.
How the money will be used
Women’s Guild has a long record of funding Cedars‑Sinai: the organization has contributed more than $70 million over the years. Current commitments include nearly completed work on a $15 million campaign for the Women’s Guild Neurology Project, which underwrites research and treatments for Parkinson’s disease, ALS, stroke and Alzheimer’s. The guild is also establishing a $5 million Distinguished Chair in Pediatrics to support clinical leadership at Guerin Children’s.
Those donations translate into tangible upgrades: new clinical programs, expanded care capacity, and support for physician research — elements that can shorten wait times, broaden treatment options and improve outcomes for families in the region.
What to watch
The event blends celebrity, fundraising and policy conversation in a way that can influence public attention on anti‑bullying and neurological care. For community members and donors, it’s an opportunity to see how philanthropy shapes services at a major medical center; for advocates, it keeps conversations about online harassment and resilience in the public square.
Tickets and raffle/auction details are handled through Women’s Guild Cedars‑Sinai; organizers say proceeds will be directed to the named projects at Guerin Children’s and the Neurology Project at Cedars‑Sinai.
