Local Leaders to Co-Chair Aurora’s Luminary Celebration

Signature Annual Fundraiser to be Held at The Bushnell on Oct. 22

West Hartford – Two local leaders are spearheading planning for the 2025 Luminary Celebration, the joyful annual fundraiser hosted by the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation, which will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Click here to register.

Katherine Killen Hall

Rauchell Beckford-Anderson of Simsbury and Katherine Killen Hall of West Granby, both members of Aurora’s Board of Directors, are co-chairing the event, which last year attracted a crowd of more than 350 people.  Beckford-Anderson is an attorney at Robinson + Cole, and Hall is the Vice President of Global Programs at Koyamada International Foundation.

“I am honored to serve as co-chair for the Aurora Foundation’s Luminary event, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Foundation’s extraordinary work -- a quarter-century dedicated to investing in the strength, resilience, and leadership of women and girls in our community,” said Hall.

“It is very gratifying to see the shared commitment of the Luminary Committee, Aurora’s staff, and the Board, who make this important fundraiser as successful as possible,” said Beckford-Anderson. “It is truly an honor to serve as co-chair of this year’s Luminary event and to continue my support of this organization that provides so many resources for women and girls in Greater Hartford.”

Rauchell Beckford-Anderson

Stephanie Thomas, the 75th Secretary of the State of Connecticut, will be the keynote speaker. She is the first Black person elected to this position in the state. Proceeds will support Aurora’s community investments, especially its College Success programs and groundbreaking research about women and girls in CT.

“We are grateful to have Rauchell and Katherine co-chairing what we are sure will be a sparkling evening celebrating the power and possibility of women and girls,” said Aurora Executive Director Jennifer Steadman, Ph.D. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the luminaries in our community who create opportunities for education, economic security and leadership and the remarkable women and girls who shine brightly once they have opportunities.”

Aurora is grateful to the following Community Partners for their annual operating support: American Eagle Financial Credit Union; Ares Management; Barnes Group; Simply Chef Renée and Café Chef Renée @280; the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity (CWCSEO); the Goss Family; Hartford Yard Goats Foundation; Liberty Bank; Lodestar; Max Cares Foundation; NBT Bank; Northwest Community Bank; Jennifer W. Pennoyer, MD;  PNT Data; Reid & Riege; Robinson + Cole; Ruel Burns Feldman Kukucka & Britt; Talcott Financial Group; Tokio Marine HCC; UConn Health Disparities; The Village for Families and Children; Wealthspire; Barbara and Mark Wetzel; Whittlesey; and the YWCA Hartford Region.