Mayor Michael Bloomberg represented the city as he opened the night and welcomed guests, and he wasn't the only non-Y chromosome. Designer Marc Jacobs honored friend and artist Cindy Sherman as he presented her with The Art Superstar award. Other designers that graced the stage of Carnegie Hall included Tory Burch, who received The Fashion Force award given to her by actress Jessica Alba, not only for her entrepreneurial mind and spirit but also for her nonprofit Tory Burch foundation. Donatella Versace awarded Jennifer Lopez as The All-Star.
"I'm gonna make a guess about all these women - that they have something in common with me," said Lopez as she accepted her award. "That they were surrounded by other strong, loving women who helped create what they came to be. It's the women in my life that helped me and shaped me into the woman I am today."
Other honorees included a Special Recognition award for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, whose husband and stepdaughters accepted on her behalf. The Generations Award went to Laura Bush and daughters Barbara and Jenna. The Diva Next Door Award went to Lea Michele, and The Lifetime Achievement winner went to "The Woman Who Started It All," Gloria Steinem, who truly did start women's empowerment as we know it today.
"It's a beautiful night," said a humbled Lopez. "It really inspired me."
