Women Who Rock 2026 Benefit Concert to Raise Funds for Magee Womens Research Institute
On Saturday, October 17, Pittsburgh’s Stage AE will host Women Who Rock’s ninth annual benefit concert, a high‑energy showcase that blends pop spectacle with a purpose. Headlined by pop icon Taylor Dayne, the event will raise funds for the Magee Women’s Research Institute (MWRI) through ticket sales, a silent auction, a photo booth, and a limited‑edition t‑shirt. The concert is a partnership with the Gibson Foundation’s Gibson Gives program and WWR’s own mission to champion women in music and health research.
Women Who Rock was founded in 2018 by Pittsburgh singer‑songwriter Melinda Colaizzi, a voting member of the Recording Academy. The organization emerged from Colaizzi’s frustration with the lack of a dedicated platform for female musicians to gain recognition, mentorship, and advocacy. Over the past eight years, WWR has connected women in the industry with researchers at MWRI, the nation’s first and largest institute devoted to women’s health. Past benefit concerts have featured high‑profile performers such as Orianthi, Melissa Etheridge, and Ann Wilson of Heart, cementing the event’s reputation as a launchpad for female talent.
The 2026 show will open with the spirited trio The Vindys, followed by the soulful guitar‑driven set of Malina Moye. Kalie Shorr will take the stage to perform her empowering anthem “Fight Like A Girl,” a track that has already resonated with audiences looking for resilience. DJ Coachelly, the winner of WWR’s 2026 Rising Star Contest, will spin the night’s closing tracks, while the inaugural Impact Award recipient Diana Napper will be honored for her leadership at the Glimmer of Hope Foundation, whose breast‑cancer research has earned her the award. According to Colaizzi, Napper has “moved mountains to ensure patients receive the care they need.”
The event’s pink‑themed venue reflects WWR’s branding and its focus on women’s empowerment. In addition to the headline act, attendees will be treated to a silent auction featuring exclusive memorabilia, a photo booth with themed backdrops, and a limited‑edition t‑shirt that will help funnel additional revenue to MWRI. All proceeds from ticket sales, auction items, and merchandise will go directly to the institute’s research programs, which focus on everything from reproductive health to neurodegenerative diseases that disproportionately affect women.
The Gibson Foundation’s Gibson Gives program, a philanthropic arm that supports music‑related initiatives, will provide financial backing for the event. The partnership enables WWR to cover venue costs and production expenses, ensuring that more of the proceeds go directly to MWRI.
The Magee Women’s Research Institute, a part of Magee‑Westpoint Hospital, has been a leader in women's health research since the late 1990s. Its studies cover reproductive health, breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological conditions that disproportionately affect women. Funding from events like Women Who Rock is critical to sustaining its research agenda.
The silent auction will feature a range of items, from signed recordings to exclusive merchandise, allowing attendees to contribute beyond ticket sales. The limited‑edition t‑shirt, designed in collaboration with local artists, will also channel funds to MWRI. A photo booth with themed backdrops will capture memories while supporting the cause.
Tickets for the October 17 concert are on sale through the WWR website, and the podcast will debut on September 16. The event is poised to raise a significant portion of its proceeds for MWRI, continuing WWR’s legacy of supporting women in both music and health research.
