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Vanessa Bryant guest of honor at the Baby2Baby gala, receives the Giving Tree Award

Kobe Bryant’s widow gave an emotional speech after being recognized for her commitment to the organization


Andrea Pérez
Deputy Editor Miami
NOVEMBER 15, 2021 1:38 PM EST

This past saturday the L.A.-based charity Baby2Baby hosted its 10th yearly fundraising gala to help children living in poverty with essential goods like diapers and clothes.

The guest of honor of the event was Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, who was honored for her commitment to making a difference in the lives of unprivileged children. During the gala, she was presented with the Giving Tree Award.

The organization’s co-CEO Kelly Sawyer said that Vanessa was honored for supporting the organization for the last 7 years. She also described Vanessa as an inspirational woman and mom. “She’s done so much for us and so to be here tonight with her after all she’s gone through and after what the world has gone through is a special moment for everyone I think.”

Baby2Baby 10 Year Gala Presented By Paul Mitchell   Red Carpet© GettyImages

Vanessa gave an emotional speech that talked about the hardships of our current times with Covid and everything it caused us to experience in the past two years.

“As challenging as the past twenty months have been for everyone, they have been even harder for these low-income or homeless families in need who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, losing jobs, homes and family members at very high rates… It’s these families that need us the most and even more tomorrow and the next day.”

She finished the speech by thanking her husband Kobe and her daughters Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri, which was followed with a standing ovation from all the attendees.

Vanessa Bryant posing with her daughter Natalia Bryant at the Baby2Baby Gala in West Hollywood© GettyImages
Vanessa Bryant posing with her daughter Natalia Bryant at the Baby2Baby Gala in West Hollywood

The gala took place at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood and was attended by many celebrities guests such Jessica Alba, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson and billionaire Jeff Bezos and his girlfriend, Laura Sanchez.

Baby2Baby 10 Year Gala Presented By Paul Mitchell   Cocktails© GettyImages

The last gala the organization held in November 2019 was attended by Vanessa with her late husband Kobe Bryant, just two months before he passed away in a tragic accident with his daughter Gianna.