If you've never heard of the Center for the Women of New York (CWNY), it's worth getting to know, especially since their headquarters sits right in our own backyard at Fort Totten in Bayside. This nonprofit has spent nearly four decades quietly changing lives across Queens and beyond, and their signature community fundraiser, “Taste of the World,” has become a beloved local tradition.
Who Is CWNY?
Founded in 1987 by Ann Juliano Jawin, the Center for the Women of New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the equality, advancement, and well-being of women. Jawin was part of the “Second Wave” of the women's liberation movement in the 1970s, active with the National Organization for Women, and her work as a career guidance specialist showed her firsthand how workplace inequality affected women at every level.
CWNY's earliest efforts focused on domestic violence, helping push for legal reforms to better protect women in crisis, work the organization continues today in partnership with other advocacy groups. Nearly forty years later, the Center's mission remains rooted in a simple philosophy: when women are self-sufficient, their families and communities become stronger.
What They Do
CWNY takes a personalized, holistic approach, connecting each woman who comes through their doors to programs tailored to her specific needs. Their work is organized around a few core pillars:
- EducateHer — educational programs and resources
- EmployHer — workforce development and career support
- EmpowerHer — leadership and personal empowerment programming
- EmbraceHer — overall health and well-being support
Programs run the gamut from in-person offerings like yoga classes, gardening workshops, and book clubs, to virtual support groups for caregivers, women in crisis, and those seeking career guidance.
Taste of the World: A Bayside Tradition
Each September, CWNY hosts “Taste of the World,” a lively fundraiser held right on the scenic front lawn of their Fort Totten headquarters in Bayside. The evening brings the community together to sample international cuisine prepared by local restaurants, all while enjoying live music and watching the sunset over the water. In recent years, participating restaurants have included neighborhood favorites like Bourbon Street on Bell Boulevard, Avo Taco in Bay Terrace, and D Roti Hut in Jamaica.
Every dollar raised goes directly toward CWNY's educational programs and professional services that help women in New York enter and reenter the workforce and achieve financial independence.
This Year: Taste of the World 2026
When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:00 – 8:30 PM (rain or shine)
Where: The Castle at Fort Totten Park, Bayside, NY 11359
