Power, Purpose, and Portraits: Documenting Emily’s List’s 40th Anniversary
- Ruby Melton
- May 18
- 3 min read
Some assignments are memorable because of the scale. Others leave a mark because of the intimacy. Photographing Emily’s List’s 40th Anniversary Gala — and the private donor dinner the evening before — was an experience that delivered both in unforgettable ways.
Held across two of Washington, DC’s most iconic venues — the modern and evocative Rubell Museum DC, followed by the soaring, high-energy Anthem — the occasion celebrated four decades of relentless advocacy, impact, and political power.
With Bond Events masterfully producing both evenings, the design and logistics reflected the ambition of the cause: seamless, thoughtful, and visually stunning. And as someone who has had the honor of photographing Emily’s List’s galas three times, this anniversary year felt like a powerful evolution — both for the organization and for me, as a visual storyteller entrusted to document its legacy.
Donor Dinner at the Rubell Museum
The weekend began with a private dinner for major supporters held at the Rubell Museum — a former schoolhouse-turned-museum now home to one of the most significant contemporary art collections in the country. The space was curated not just with art, but with intention.
As guests entered, the lighting glowed just right, the florals whispered elegance, and the atmosphere was filled with warmth and gratitude. I moved quietly through the space, capturing candid moments — handshakes that signified decades of partnership, heartfelt embraces, and knowing glances that needed no words.
There was something sacred about this evening. As the speeches unfolded, I was granted backstage access to photograph private moments — portraits of legacy and leadership that will never make the headlines, but will live in history. These are the frames I treasure most.
The Gala at The Anthem: A Night of Power and Purpose
The following night, The Anthem was transformed into a beacon of energy and empowerment. The sheer scale of the production was electric — an audience of thousands, dynamic lighting, and a program that was part political rally, part love letter to progress.
And then came the speakers. The presence of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and numerous Senators and Members of Congress brought gravitas and generational impact to the stage. To be close enough to capture Dr. Biden sharing a heartfelt message, or to witness Speaker Pelosi connecting with guests in quiet side conversations backstage, was a true privilege.
With exclusive access, I was able to move between the grandeur of the main event and the hushed spaces behind the curtain. In those in-between moments, I captured the nervous excitement of first-time speakers, the composed strength of veteran leaders, and the relaxed joy of colleagues reconnecting after years of shared struggle and victory.
This is where photography becomes preservation. These are not just event photos — they are documents of a movement still unfolding.
A Full-Circle Moment
Being invited back for the third time to photograph Emily’s List’s gala felt deeply personal. There’s something incredibly affirming about being trusted, again and again, to witness and interpret such pivotal events.
Each time, I bring more than a camera. I bring reverence for the legacy, sensitivity to the moment, and a commitment to storytelling with dignity and power.
Gratitude
To Emily’s List, thank you for letting me hold space for your history through my lens.To Bond Events, your precision, creativity, and care in producing these experiences is nothing short of art.To every leader, guest, and unsung hero who allowed themselves to be seen — thank you for your trust.
These images will outlive us. And I am honored to have helped make them.
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