The Ellen Hermanson Foundation Welcomes Sex and the City Author Candace Bushnell at the 2026 Summer Gala
East Hampton, NY — June 20, 2026 — The Ellen Hermanson Foundation (The Foundation) is excited to announce that best-selling author, television producer, and cultural icon Candace Bushnell will make a special appearance at The Foundation’s annual Summer Gala.
Known as the mastermind behind Sex and the City and widely recognized as the inspiration behind the iconic Carrie Bradshaw character, Bushnell has spent decades shaping conversations around women, relationships, identity, ambition, and reinvention through her writing and media career.
Bushnell is the internationally bestselling author of Sex and the City, first published in 1996 and adapted into the cultural phenomenon that became the six-season HBO series, two feature films, and the hit revival And Just Like That…. Her acclaimed body of work also includes Four Blondes, Trading Up, Lipstick Jungle, One Fifth Avenue, and The Carrie Diaries, with both Lipstick Jungle and The Carrie Diaries adapted into successful television series.
Throughout her career, Bushnell has become known for creating stories that resonate across generations of women and for offering an honest, entertaining, and often deeply personal lens into modern life. Her work continues to influence popular culture while encouraging audiences to embrace authenticity, resilience, and self-discovery.
Candace Bushnell, bestselling author, television producer, and creator of Sex and the City, will make a special appearance at The Ellen Hermanson Foundation’s 2026 Summer Gala.
Most recently, Bushnell has taken center stage in her critically acclaimed one-woman show, True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City, which premiered off-Broadway at the Daryl Roth Theatre and was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick. The show has since evolved into an international production earning standing ovations around the world and captivating audiences through Bushnell’s signature blend of storytelling, humor, and reflection.
“We are thrilled to welcome Candace Bushnell at this year’s Summer Gala,” said Mady Schuman, Executive Director of The Ellen Hermanson Foundation. “Candace has spent her career elevating women’s stories with intelligence, wit, and candor. Her voice has connected with millions, and we are honored to have her join us for an evening dedicated to supporting breast health care and ensuring women across our community have access to life-saving services.”
The Ellen Hermanson Foundation’s annual Summer Gala raises critical funds supporting its programs and services that help women on the East End access breast health care screenings, breast cancer treatment, and patient support. This year’s Gala honors Geralyn Lucas, author of Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy. Funds raised remain local and directly benefit The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Ellen’s Well, and The Ellen Hermanson Community Partnership Program. No one is denied care due to lack of health insurance or inability to pay.
Tables and tickets are available at www.ellenhermanson.org/2026summergala.
About The Ellen Hermanson Foundation
For over 30 years, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation has transformed the medical landscape of the East End of Long Island, where breast cancer diagnosis and mortality are among the highest in New York State. As a grassroots organization dedicated to providing state-of-the-art breast health care and supporting those affected by breast cancer, the Foundation achieves its mission by building awareness about breast cancer; educating about the importance of early detection; and, providing access to free mammography and treatment to medically underserved women. No one is turned away from the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center for lack of insurance or inability to pay for treatment.
For more information and/or interviews, please contact:
Mady J. Schuman
Executive Director
The Ellen Hermanson Foundation
mady.schuman@ellenhermanson.org
(646) 342-4709