The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement launched American Heart Month with its Red Dress Collection Concert in New York City, featuring actress Laura Linney as host alongside performers Nicole Scherzinger and Amy Grant. The event transforms the two-decade tradition of the Red Dress Collection fashion show, originally founded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's The Heart Truth program, into a musical celebration aimed at making women's heart health visible and personal. More than 4 in 10 women in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, a figure expected to grow, underscoring the urgency of the movement's mission.
Host Laura Linney opened the event at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Appel Room by highlighting the complexities of heart health and its impact on families and caregivers. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Grant performed, wearing designs by Tadashi Shoji and Maison Tai, and was subsequently presented with the Woman Changing the World award by American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown. Grant, who underwent open heart surgery in 2020 for a congenital heart defect, has become a vocal advocate, using public service announcements to educate millions about heart disease risk and prevention. Headliner Nicole Scherzinger, wearing Nicole + Felicia and other designers, delivered a set of Broadway and pop hits to energize the audience.
The concert maintained its fashion roots with a runway show featuring stars in red ensembles from prominent designers. Participants included Uzo Aduba, Chlöe Bailey, Selma Blair, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Normani, and Jane Seymour, among others, each wearing creations from designers like Christian Siriano, Badgley Mischka, and Walter Collection. National sponsor CVS Health has directed over $50 million in funding over the past decade to advance women's cardiovascular health, blood pressure management, and research, supporting the event's goal of building healthier communities. Additional support for the concert comes from Chase.
Resources for women's heart health are available at GoRedforWomen.org, and information on National Wear Red Day can be found at WearRedDay.org. The American Heart Association continues to drive awareness and action against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women, through initiatives like Go Red for Women, which challenges women to know their risk and adopt heart-healthy lifestyles.
