By the time Variety’s Power of Women M. C. Vanessa Bayer hit the podium, joking about eh, what a great year for women this has been, I had been treated to one Bellini and a hand massage by Jose in a pop up spa for SheaMoisture in a corner of the spacious Cipriani 42 Street. Feeling no pain, I found out SheaMoisture, a premiere sponsor of this yearly luncheon presented by Lifetime, not only smoothed out every gnarl on my hands, this is a company that sends 10% of its profits to African women.

Yes, there were big names featured at this luncheon from Blake Lively to Tina Knowles Lawson, that’s Beyonce’s mom, who was awarded the Commerce Impact Award by SheaMoisture. With its high octane focus on promoting good health, the safety, nourishment, and education of children, women’s right to physical autonomy, this was no ordinary event. Speakers from Cory Booker, who flew in from California just to introduce Gayle King, and then flew back again just after, to Lena Dunham introducing Jessica Chastain, to 16-year-old Hayley Thomas presenting Chelsea Clinton, each one was an inspiration for empowering others.

Highlights included Gayle King’s receiving the Karma Award from Karma Automotive, the company powering the luncheon. A gorgeous white vehicle sat at the entrance, and of course there was plenty of speculation on who would get to keep it. But King was happy that her award came with a $10,000 check that would go to SEO Scholars. Lena Dunham admired Jessica Chastain for promoting women centered stories in her films, for example, her recent Mrs. Sloan and The Zookeeper’s Wife. Jessica Chastain in turn admired Lena Dunham for her work on Girls and spoke movingly about the role of Planned Parenthood in her life, how she, raised by a single mother and a single grandmother, was helped by this vital organization.

Of course the discourse was never far away from the outrages of the day, our government that feels like an episode of VEEP. The Women’s March in Washington and everywhere was mentioned often and with pride. Applause went to Gretchen Carlson for standing up to sexual harassment by the deposed Roger Ailes, followed by further action from others against Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, action that came about after pressure from women’s groups. You could see that everyone, despite Cipriani’s sumptuous lunch, was hungry for good leadership. When Hayley Thomas spoke about her work with Chelsea Clinton for Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the thought of Chelsea running was on more than one mind. But hey, what about that poised, confident Hayley Thomas sometime in the future?

Vanessa Bayer reminded everyone to take home a gift bag, quipping, You look like a group that needs some free moisturizing. In fact, the Lulu Dharma totes contained great stuff: from Bare Minerals, Bite Beauty, Bombas, colorpop, Emi Jay, Eyeko, giftcards for a GLAMSQUAD manicure and Postmates services, fabfitfun, Gloss Moderne, Jinsoon, a Knock Knock to do pad, LAFCO candle, a Natural Life sport hairband, NYX, makeup bags from Pixels and Planned Parenthood, SheaMoisture, Sigma Beauty, Skin Laundry, Stella McCartney, Supergoop, Tyra Beauty, a Yes To face mask, First Aid Beauty, and a RX protein bar—some moisture to go along with more substance!

Regina Weinreich

Graphic Design: Salpeter Ventura