“For as long as we can remember, our mother and grandmother always stressed the importance of speaking up for what we believe in,” shares Southampton philanthropic sisters Sophia and Ava Schrager. “When we heard about the revolutionary work that Joyful Heart was doing, we knew that we had to find a way to get involved and contribute; this event was the perfect way.” In honor of upcoming Mother’s Day, Sophia and Ava, Emma Lasry, Ana Novogratz and Gaby Novogratz hosted a Me&Ro shopping event, to benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation, on April 10th, at the home of their mom, Rita Schrager. Proceeds from the sales at the event went to support the Joyful Heart Foundation’s transformative work to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues.

Other guests included: Phoebe Cates, Gary Cohn, Lisa Pevaroff Cohn, Alessandra Garcia, Anne McNally, Sukey Novogratz and Ian Schrager. Me&Ro has been a proud supporter of the Joyful Heart Foundation since it’s inception in 2004. A special selection of jewelry debuted at the pop-up shop including items from the brand’s “Joyful Heart” collection as well as their 25th anniversary collection featuring limited-edition ebony and gold pieces. Fans of the TV series Law & Order Special Victims Unit recognized the symbolic Fearlessness” pendant and “Lotus Mandala” necklace, which are worn by the Joyful Heart Foundation’s Founder and President, Mariska Hargitay in her role as Lieutenant Olivia Benson.

Over the past 12 years of partnership, Me&Ro has donated more than $700,000 from the sales of the “Joyful Heart” collection, and almost $10,000 was donated from the sales at the event. Robin Renzi, Designer and Founder of Me&Ro added: “It’s been such a privilege to support the Joyful Heart Foundation from the beginning both monetarily and by giving both women and men symbols of courage to wear after they have faced traumatic events in their lives.”

Sophia shares, “As a co-founder of GenerationJOY, I want our generation to understand that we all have the power to make a difference and to end this violence. Whether it’s starting the conversation at the dinner table or telling a survivor that you believe them, it all makes a difference. I also want our generation to understand that together we are stronger. Speaking out about these issues is not always easy, but it can be as simple as getting your friends together and building on each other’s strengths.”

The event also launched Joyful Heart’s new initiative, #GenerationJoy, a younger generation’s commitment to Joyful Heart’s vision of a world free of sexual assault and domestic violence. To view the Me&Ro Joyful Heart Collection please visit: www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/heartshop or to view Me&Ro’s entire line of jewelry please visit: http://www.meandrojewelry.com/. For further information please email karoline@joyfulheartfoundation.org. **Photos in this feature by Liam McMullan/PM ©Patrick McMullan