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Cheryl Benton Receives ICON Award for Empowering Midlife Women

Diverse women participating in an empowerment event

News Summary

Cheryl Benton, a Glen Cove resident, has received the 2025 ICON Award from Long Island Business News for her impactful work in empowering midlife women through media initiatives and advocacy. She founded The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine catering to middle-aged women, which now reaches 25,000 subscribers. Benton’s efforts also include book publishing and philanthropy aimed at supporting female-led nonprofits. Her dedication to combatting ageism and promoting women’s voices continues to inspire and uplift women across various platforms.

Glen Cove, New York – Cheryl Benton, a resident of Glen Cove, has been honored with the 2025 ICON Award from Long Island Business News for her significant contributions in empowering midlife women through her media initiatives and advocacy efforts. The award was presented to Benton on August 21.

Benton’s journey into women’s empowerment began when she felt “invisible” while working at a New York City advertising agency in her 50s. Recognizing a stark absence of representation for women in midlife within mainstream media, she launched The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine aimed specifically at middle-aged women.

Initially distributing The Three Tomatoes to just 60 friends, the magazine quickly gained traction, and it now boasts approximately 25,000 subscribers and attracts 100,000 monthly page views. The publication features four city-specific editions that cater to women in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, covering a variety of topics such as travel, beauty, fashion, and wellness, which Benton highlights as a key focus for the magazine.

Beyond the magazine, Benton has made strides with The Three Tomatoes Book Publishing, which has overseen the release of 80 books since its launch in 2019. Four years ago, she also launched the Three Tomatoes Happy Hour podcast, further expanding her influence and outreach.

This year, Benton initiated the Three Tomatoes Giving Circle, which has successfully raised and distributed $15,000 in grants to female-led nonprofit organizations. This initiative is part of the She Angels Foundation, which focuses on addressing the funding disparities faced by women’s nonprofit organizations.

Benton’s commitment to uplifting women is unwavering. She aims to combat ageism and celebrates women of all ages, emphasizing that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams. She has previously served as the board chair of the Metropolitan New York Chapter of UN Women and currently chairs the NYC Leadership Council for Plan International USA, advocating for gender equality across more than 100 countries.

An upcoming event entitled “The Power of Women’s Voices” is scheduled for October 28, featuring an engaging lineup of prose, poetry, music, and art that highlight women’s stories and experiences.

Throughout her successful career in advertising, Benton has owned her agency and collaborated with renowned firms, demonstrating her ability to thrive in a competitive industry. The Three Tomatoes employs around 30 contributors from diverse backgrounds, which enriches the content featured in the magazine.

Over the course of her career, Benton has received numerous accolades, including a Brava award from SmartCEO and induction into the Business Marketing Association’s Hall of Fame. She is also a published author, having released her first novel, “Can You See Us Now?” in 2018, followed by “Can You Hear Us Now?” in 2021. Additionally, she co-authored “Martini Wisdom” and its sequel, both of which have enjoyed success on Amazon.

The Three Tomatoes continues to organize various events throughout the year, offering networking opportunities and fostering community engagement. This includes facilitating first-time authors through networking events, promoting a supportive environment for women to share their stories and experiences.

Benton’s relentless advocacy and innovative approaches pave the way for the empowerment of midlife women, highlighting their voices and celebrating their contributions to society.

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STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER

NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.

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