Marjaree Mason Center's Top Ten Professional Women

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Focusing on families while raising money for a good cause. Friday was the Marjaree Mason Center's Top Ten Professional Women and Leading Business Awards featuring Keynote speaker Robin McGraw.

Two-time New York Times best-selling author Robin McGraw greets fans and takes pictures ahead of her speech at this year's award ceremony. Marjaree Mason Center Executive Director Genelle Taylor Kumpe says, "She is so amazing and here to talk about domestic violence effects on families, specifically children."

McGraw has been featured on her husband's show, Dr. Phil, and says she started her foundation When Georgia Smiles after being touched by the stories of so many women who told their own tales of abuse.

Robin McGraw says, "The courage of those women who have been abused and been in those situations and they come for help and it's those shows that have really opened my eyes to an issue I feel like I can step up and help."

More than 1,200 people came out to Marjaree Mason's 32nd annual event which raises money for the domestic violence shelter. ABC30's own Christine Park and Margot Kim emceed the event, which honored ten local professional women and one business for their work in the community. McGraw says she hopes to empower people at the event to step up and help victims and their families who have suffered from domestic violence.

McGraw says, "I hope they go away inspired. Inspired to do whatever it is they can do to help those in need." The Marjaree Mason Center says 85% of all money raised from the event will go directly towards services helping domestic violence victims.