Tigerlily’s 4th Annaul EmPOWER Ball

Glamorous rhinestones and lush pink flowers were perfectly placed to decorate the Hilton McLean’s ballroom — and set the stage for hundreds of guests, to include Miss DC 2011 Ashley Boalch, WUSA Anchor Andrea Roane, and First Lady of DC Jonice Gray Tucker — at the Tigerlily Foundation‘s EmPOWER Ball on Saturday. But in the words of Tigerlily Founder Maimah Karmo, “It is a pretty event, but cancer is not so pretty.”

“I started this organization with 3 bags, bills, and a 3 year old to feed,” explained Karmo, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32 but made a commitment to help other young women in the same situation in spite of her own challenges.  “Now Tigerlily supports thousands of women before, during and after breast cancer.”

The annual event honored Carla Shamblen with the KM Warrior Award,  Lillie D. Shockney (RN., BS., MAS, Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center) with the Inspire Award and Beverly Vote (Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine) with the Transformation Award, in addition to recognizing five “Fearless Females EmPOWERed” who shared their personal health stories.

Empowerment, according to Karmo, is knowing your actions serve a major purpose: “With the work you do, remember that one action can change someone’s life!”