A Look Into Femme It Forward’s 2nd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Gala

Femme It Forward hosted its second annual Give Her FlowHERS Gala on Friday (Nov. 10) in Beverly Hills.

This year’s beautifully empowering affair celebrated the likes of SZA, Brandy, Teyana Taylor, Jordyn and Jodie Woods (My Sister’s Keeper Award), Monaleo (The Self-Love Award), Nova Wav (The Pen It Forward Award), and Flo Milli (The Bloom Award) for their impactful work within their respective fields.

The Give Her FlowHERS sentiment began as an Instagram hashtag as a means to celebrate women in music and entertainment, according to Femme It Forward founder Heather Lowery. It’s since blossomed into a full-fledged award show, not only recognizing artists and talent alike, but also women behind-the-scenes who serve as mentors for the next generation.To further drive home the celebration of women and sisterhood, the presenters of each award were intentional. Lori Harvey presented Taylor with her Visionary Award, that highlights “a multi-dimensional creative who is changing the game for the future of women in music.”  Lizzo and Lowery presented SZA with her Big Femme Energy Award, plus Sonja Norwood presented her daughter, Brandy, with the first-ever Muse Award.

When accepting her honor, Taylor quoted Proverbs and issued a sermon/a prayer. “[Father,] thank you for always making ways to remind me that you don’t play about me. Okay?! But also I want to thank you for checking me and putting me in my place when need be […] I’m so grateful for my whole village. Lord, you surprise me with the simple desires of my heart and you amaze me with all the answers […] The wait was not punishment, but preparation for what was already written.”

Her eldest daughter, Junie Shumpert, joined her onstage and helped her get through her emotional speech. The lively 7-year-old concluded the moment by declaring, “My mom is the best mom ever.”

During SZA’s acceptance speech, Lizzo serenaded her sister-friend in song as Lowery presented the SOS singer with her favorite dessert, pie. Earlier in the night, Jimmy Jam gushed to Billboard about celebrating SZA after her historic 2024 Grammy nominations, calling the gala an “extra cool night of celebration and recognition.” Check out the full photo recap below.

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