By: Emily Zeigfinger/Contributor
Renowned actress and advocate Lucy Liu will headline New Friends New Life’s annual luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Omni Hotel.
Liu has starred in films that have collectively grossed more than $3.7 billion worldwide. She is best known for her film roles in Charlie’s Angels, Kill Bill, Presence, and Chicago, as well as for her standout television roles in Ally McBeal, Elementary, Why Women Kill, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Star Wars: Visions.
Liu, an accomplished filmmaker and advocate, brought attention to human trafficking as director of the documentary short Meena, and has championed projects such as Freedom’s Fury and Redlight, a film about the Cambodian sex trade, as a producer.
In 2019, Liu became the second Asian American woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her other accolades include recognition with the Career Achievement Award at the 2025 Locarno Film Festival, and the Rising to the Challenge Award at the Bentonville Film Festival. She is also a celebrated visual artist, and recipient of the Harvard University Arts Medal.
Liu is a tireless advocate for human rights. She has been a UNICEF Ambassador for more than two decades, and has also been recognized with humanitarian awards such as the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award and the Women’s World Award.
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“We are thrilled to have Lucy Liu as our keynote speaker for this year’s luncheon,” said Bianca Davis, CEO of New Friends New Life. “Her dedication to raising awareness about human trafficking and her powerful call to action is an inspiration. Lucy’s belief that ‘the last link in the trafficking chain is you and me’ reminds us all that each of us has a role to play in ending this global issue.”
New Friends New Life board member Lynn Dowdle and New Friends New Life Circle of Friends board member Karla Smith will co-chair the event. Underwriting sponsorship opportunities are available. A limited number of individual tickets will go on sale in August.
For more information, visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon.
