Cash & Rocket Roars Into Town With Flock Of Gorgeous Women

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Late last week, 80 fabulously dressed women, decked out in their most glamorous gold outfits descended on Nob Hill for the opening night of Cash & Rocket. With the block of Mason Street that borders the Fairmont Hotel closed to traffic and filled with red sports cars, the roving female-empowerment fundraiser had a fantastic start. If you aren’t familiar with Cash & Rocket that’s because the organization, which was founded in 2012 by Julie Brangstrup, normally holds its annual tour in Europe. This year, for the first time, the four-day extravaganza hosted its event in the United States, specifically the most picturesque place to drive a sports car—the highway along the California coast.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

40 teams of two participate in Cash & Rocket, an original charity unlike any other in the world. The women are meant to fundraise throughout the weekend-long. The tour began in SF, traveled down the coast with stops in Monterey, Santa Barbara, Malibu, and Los Angeles, before crossing the finish line in Las Vegas. At each stop, the women partook in different events, like an empowerment lecture or pajama-themed gala. Ladies from all over the globe, including models Ashley Graham and Arizona Muse, joined Allison Pincus, Allison Speer, Mary Gonsalves Kinney, and Sloan Barnett in San Francisco for the opening ceremony.

Representatives from the charities, Leigh Brewster, left and Tiffany Persons, right

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

“We’re here to drive the change, we’re here to make a difference, we’re here to raise awareness of women and children around the world,” Brangstrup said during an intimate speech. “Tonight is all about us uniting and embracing the women of Ghana.” Proceeds from the event are donated to nonprofits handpicked by Brangstrup that support women and children. The 2018 beneficiaries were The Art of Elysium, Sumbandila, and Shine On Sierra Leone. Throughout the years, Cash & Rocket has raised over $4 million.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

This year’s tour had special significance for two of the drivers, Noor and Farah Taher. The sisters are from Saudi Arabia, a country that has banned women from driving for the past 50 years. June marks the first month that Saudi Arabian women can pursue a driver’s license. To commemorate the historic occasion, the Tahers joined the 700-mile drive. Farah Taher was at Thursday night’s kick-off. The event, which took place at the Fairmont Hotel’s 4th-floor rooftop garden, featured a violinist, motivational speaker Ericka Huggins, and silent auction. Guests sipped gin martinis while nibbling on shrimp cocktail and miniature burgers.