Events

USICD Gala

USICD Gala Image

USICD’s Fundraising Annual Gala

Every year we observe and celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on or around December 3rd. This year, the Gala is virtual and was held on 21 October to celebrate the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

USICD presented the Dole-Harkin award to The Honorable Tony Coelho. Tony has spent his entire adult life helping advance the lives of people with disabilities around the world. The International Advocate award will be presented to H.E. Ambassador Luis Gallegos.

Musical entertainment by disabled Ecuadorian classical guitarist Fabian Carerra. American actor Ron Livingston (Music Within, Band of Brothers, Office Space, etc.) provided special remarks. View the recording of the 2024 Gala on YouTube.

Photos of honorees

Ready to sponsor our 2025 Gala? Contact USICD’s Executive Director Isabel Hodge .

Past Gala Details:

2014 Dole-Harkin Honoree – Senator Tom Harkin; International Advocate- Gerard Quinn, Ireland. Event held at the U.S. Institute of Peace. View Photos.

2015 Dole-Harkin Honoree – Senator Kelly Ayotte; International Advocate, Kalle Konkkola, Finland. Event held at the Embassy of Finland. View Photos.

2016 Dole- Harkin Honorees – Senator Al Franken & Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers; International Advocate, Silvia Quan, Guatemala. Event held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. View Photos.

2017 Dole-Harkin Honorees – Senator John Barrasso & Judith Heumann; International Advocate, Risnawati Utami, Indonesia. Event held at the Embassy of France. View Photos.

2018 Dole-Harkin Honorees – Senator John McCain II & Senator Tammy Duckworth; International Advocate, Rosemary Kayess, Australia. Event held at the AT&T Forum in Washington, DC. View Photos.

2019 Dole-Harkin Honorees – Representative Jim Langevin and Marca Bristo (posthumously); International Advocate, Sir Philip Craven, United Kingdom. Event held at the AT&T Forum in Washington, DC. View Photos. Watch video remarks from USICD’s President, Dr. Patricia Morrissey Watch the Marca Bristo memorial video shown at the Gala. Watch video remarks from Sir Philip Craven.

2020 Dole-Harkin Honorees – Senator Bob Casey and Representative Dina Titus; International Advocate, Ikponwosa Ero. Nigeria. Event held virtually. View the 2020 USICD Virtual Gala Recording. Watch our sneak peek video

2021 Dole-Harkin Honorees – Senator Bob Menendez and Dr. Victor Pineda; International Advocate, Ambassador Catalina Devandas. Event held virtually. View the 2021 USICD Virtual Gala recording.

2022 Dole-Harkin Honoree – Mr. John Wodatch. International Advocate, Mr. Sadiq Mohibi (Afghanistan/Canada) Click here to view photos from our 2022 Gala. The Gala was featured on the national news in Afghanistan (only available in Farsi)!

2023 Dole-Harkin Honoree – Professor Michael Ashley Stein; International Advocate, Mr. Steve Estey (posthumously). Event held at the AT&T Forum in Washington, DC. Photos available on USICD’s Facebook page.

2024 Dole-Harkin Honoree – Former Congressman Tony Coelho; International Advocate, Ambassador Luis Gallegos. The event was held virtually. The Gala recording is available on USICD’s YouTube channel.