THE CURTAIN RISES ON GLAMOUR’S “WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS”
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanCarnegie Hall echoed with cacophonous applause as the prestigious venue was host to Glamour’s “Women of the Year Awards” on Monday, November 12, 2012. It was an evening to recognize some of the most influential women in the nation.
For many of these winners, the gratification of knowing they could move mountains was reward enough. These women of distinction come from all walks of life and the professional world was well represented.
The fashions fit the occasion as black seemed to prevail in short and long lengths with a bit of color thrown in for good measure. Word has it that Allyson Felix, track and field sprint athlete, took the title of ‘Best Dressed’ for the evening in a strapless black mermaid Vera Wang gown.
What made this evening so unique was that the presenters had just as many accomplishments to their names as the winners. Designer Diane von Furstenberg, Anna Wintour, Lauren Hutton, Mary J. Blige and Chelsea Handler bestowed honors upon the best of the best.
The actual honorees were:
Jenna Lyons, President and Executive Creative Director of J.Crew – Winner of ‘Fashion Original’
Annie Leibovitz, iconic and original photographer – Winner of ‘Visionary Award’
Zaha Hadid, architect and first woman to win the Pritzker Prize (the highest honor bestowed upon a woman in her field)
Erin Merryn, sexual abuse survivor and activist
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, creator of the documentary on acid violence against women in Pakistan and winner of the 2012 Oscar for Best Documentary Film
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice
Ethel and Rory Kennedy, mother-daughter humanitarians – Winners of the ‘Generations Award’
Lena Dunham, ‘Girls’ Creator and rising star
Selena Gomez, “Wizards of Waverly Place” actress – Winner of ‘Independent Spirit Award’
Five women who brought home the gold from the London Olympics and are athletic superstars of our generation – Winners of ‘The Unstoppables Award’. They are Gymnast Gabby Douglas, Swimmer Missy Franklin, Track and Field star Allyson Felix, Judo Queen Kayla Harrison and Soccer Player Carli Lloyd.
Spotted supporters included Solange Knowles, Gail King and Tyra Banks, but of course, the Hall was filled with an energetic and enthusiastic audience of celebrity status.
As a tribute to Nora Ephron, Joy Behar introduced a reading of Ephron’s 1996 Wellesley Commencement Speech at her alma mater and brought it to life with the help of Cynthia Nixon and Mamie and Grace Gumer, daughters of Meryl Streep who happens to be one of Ephron’s very good friends.
Gabby Douglas summed it up in just one sentence, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it because you really can.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images, Glamour Magazine Website, Clint Spaulding/Patrick McMullan.com
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