Allyson Felix Hosted a Powerhouse-filled Evening to Mark International Women’s History Month

Baby goats, gangster grannies, and astrology—those were just some of the dinner table topics gabbed about as International Women’s History Month got underway. On Monday evening, Olympic legend and trailblazer Allyson Felix hosted an intimate gathering for a group of change-makers and thought-leaders at Crane Club—and girl code and celebrating collective wins were most definitely on the agenda.

“A non-negotiable is that we lift each other up; A win for one of my girls, one of my sisters, is a win for us all, and we need to celebrate that,” Felix told Vogue. Sporting a charcoal-hued tweed set by Toccin over a black turtleneck, the mom-of-two and dual-business owner—and notably the most decorated track and field athlete in history—made her rounds to welcome guests as her aura illuminated the room.

The evening, presented by Maker’s Mark in keeping with its Spirited Women campaign, brought together the likes of Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange, Peloton instructor Kirsten Ferguson, and Gotham Football Club’s Jaelin Howell, who all got acquainted over specialty cocktails.

The night also celebrated Felix’s Always Alpha; a management firm that represents female athletes, broadcasters, and coaches. As the Mezzanine East area of the upscale West Chelsea eatery—which is helmed by a female chef, of course—began to fill up, attendees made their way towards candlelit tables. The chiffon curtain-lined gold and paprika-toned space was made even more picture-perfect with a mix of orchids, calais with pops of red, and burgundy flowers in Ikebana style bouquets, all courtesy of Kinda Floral.

As the night wore on, guests grazed on tuna tartare, candied cappelletti, and wagyu flank steak. During dinner, Felix, her brother and business partner Wes Felix, and her former agent and Always Alpha’s “she-e-oh” Cosette Chaput expressed their gratitude toward attendees while discussing the realities facing athletes—and all women—today.

Felix noted that it’s not her Olympic medal wins that are always necessarily the most memorable moments from the pinnacle of her career—she has 11, by the way—but rather, it’s the times she got to use her platform to make space and give opportunities to others. It’s a big reason why Always Alpha and its commitment to helping talent came to be, with Felix keen to pay it forward.

When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Felix paused for thought. “Embrace failure; it’s inevitable. When I was younger, it used to paralyze me and get me so down, disappointed, and discouraged.” It’s where her now-preferred mantra originated: “[I remember] I am enough. It applies to many different phases of life when I’m doubting myself, when I’m questioning what I’m doing, or even the moments of success.”

Later this month, Felix intends to continue betting on herself. To make her mark, if you will. And she urges everyone else to do the same and simply just… start! After all, she noted that the idea of a perfect moment is a myth—and baby steps are just as important as giant strides.

Alas, the celebration eventually wound to a close, and partygoers got ready to leave with their own custom-calligraphed Maker’s Mark bottles featuring limited-edition labels by artist Ashley Longshore in tow (proceeds from each bottle will go towards supporting women worldwide through donations to Vital Voices all month). Oh, and an extra helping of the cranberry pear crisp for the road didn’t hurt either.

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