Events

We were at Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show, where celebrities like Rebecca Romijn, Gloria Estefan and Chaka Khan walked the runway in support of women's heart health. Take a look.

Video Editor: Victoria Ng

We were at the NAFE Women of Excellence Awards Breakfast in New York City, which honored women who have overcome obstacles to achieve success and who give back by helping others. Betty Spence, President of NAFE, and Carol Evans, President of Working Mother Media, are the amazing leaders who hosted the event.

Here are the 2011 Women of Excellence awardees:

• Woman of Achievement: Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and CEO, Kraft
• Global Woman’s Champion: Marilyn Johnson, vice president, market development, IBM
• Service to NYC: Cynthia, Jennifer and Heather Flood, founders, the Flood Sisters Kidney Foundation
• Mentorship Award: Ann Bordelon, chief financial officer, Sam’s Club
• Outstanding Entrepreneur: Elise Mitchell, president and CEO, Mitchell Communications Group
• Healthcare Champion: Lori Beer, executive vice president, Enterprise Business Services, WellPoint Inc.
• Digital Trailblazer: Monica Luechtefeld, executive vice president, global e-commerce, Office Depot
• Rising Star: Rebecca Johnson-Stone, founder and CEO, W.A.R-Walk Against Rape
• Activist Award: Marie Quintana, senior vice president, multicultural sales, PepsiCo
• Community Service: Tami Erwin, west area president, Verizon Wireless
• NAFE Ace Award: June Davidson, president, American Seminar Leaders

Watch our video with highlights from the breakfast.

Video Editor: Christina Raia

Get into the holiday spirit with these amazing window displays. It's the store on 5th Ave. in New York City. Watch our video and if you are in town, check them out in person.

Video Editor: Christina Raia

Music: Kevin MacLeod

This week we were at the Annual Gala of the Worldwide Orphan's Foundation where Dr. Jane Aronson, its founder, set the stage for an outpouring of love. There are 157,000,000 orphans around the world who need our help.

Among the actors who joined Dr. Aronson were Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, and Andrew Garfield. Here's what they told us.

Video Editor: Christina Raia

Carol Evans, President of Working Mother Media, is a dynamo—a committed leader who is passionate about creating change in the work/life arena. I attended the Work Life Congress last week. Here are some of the highlights from one of the morning sessions, including a discussion between Carol and Billie Williamson, Americas Inclusiveness Officer of Ernst & Young.

Check out the What Moms Choose report (pdf), which was released today.

Video Editor: Christina Raia

I was at an event last night held by New York Women In Communications—they are a great group. Mika Brzezinski of "Morning Joe" (left) was there speaking about her book, Knowing Your Value.

Bottom line—you deserve equal pay to men and if you don't ask for it, you won't get it. Mika says you have to realize what your worth and what value you bring to the table. You have to find out what men are getting paid for doing the same job, and if there is a discrepancy, don't take it.

Mika was confident with her message. Definitely food for thought.

(Read our review of Mika's book on our Bookshelf.)

Halloween wouldn't be complete without a carved pumpkin. We visited Hugh McMahon, pumpkin carver extraordinaire, who has been carving for celebrity clients since 1976. These are no ordinary jack-o'-lanterns, however. He showed us some of his masterpieces — President Obama and Michael Jackson in pumpkin form, anyone? — and demonstrated his technique. Take a look.

Hugh has also just released a children's book, Night of the Pumpkinheads. Find out more about his art here.

Video Editor: Christina Raia

Chefs and celebrity sous-chefs gathered together to create a fun-filled evening of tasting culinary delights in support of SHARE.

Support groups for women with breast and ovarian cancer are so important, not only to the women, but also for their families. SHARE has been a leader in this cause for 35 years, and we were at its eighth annual "Second Helping of Life" benefit in New York City.

Executive Director Alice Yaker expressed that, although we have come a long way, we still have so much further to go. Helene has been involved with this group for years, they have helped her on several public television health shows aired nationwide.

Enjoy the festivities. Take a look. And keep in mind that September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Video Editor: Christina Raia

Last night we were on the scene at the Season 2 premiere of HBO's Boardwalk Empire, as stars hit the red carpet. All involved were excited about the twists and cliff-hangers of the upcoming season, and the first episode, which airs Sunday, Sept. 25, at 9 p.m., started with a bang.

Steve Buscemi, who plays Enoch "Nucky" Thompson with Ricky Gervais
Photo by Christina Raia

Kelly Macdonald, who plays Margaret Schroeder,
a woman who can hold her own with powerful men
Photo: StarPix

Michael Pitt, who plays James "Jimmy" Darmody
Photo by Christina Raia

Later this month the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) will recognize four outstanding female entrepreneurs at the Women’s Business Conference 2011: Janice Bryant Howroyd, Koni Kim, Maria de Lourdes Sobrino, and Lynda Weinman. Here's a little more about these inspiring women.

Janice (left) is the founder and CEO of Act One Personnel Services—a company that provides staffing solutions for corporations across the country. Founded in 1978 with an initial investment of $1,500, her company is now the largest certified woman minority-owned staffing company in the U.S. — it's worth over $500 million.

With 30 years in hospitality soft goods, Koni (right) founded Koni Corporation in 1987 to create custom textiles and soft sculptures for the design community as well as retail stores. Among her many innovations, she developed the Westin Heavenly Bed, which changed the hospitality industry.

Maria (left) is founder and CEO of Lulu’s Dessert Corporation. Established in 1982, Lulu’s Dessert is ranked among the top 500 Hispanic Businesses in the United States. Maria revolutionized the food industry by creating the first-ever ready-to-eat gelatin category, based on her own mother’s recipe.

Lynda (right) co-founded lynda.com, a leading online instructional video service that teaches technology and design skills through individual memberships or site licenses to businesses and universities. The company was listed as the twelfth fastest growing education company in America in Inc. magazine’s 5,000 list, and is growing 40-60 percent per year.

Today Denise Morrison became President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company.

I've known Denise for years—she is truly a leader that only talks the talk but walks the walk.

I included her story in my book, Smart Women Take Risks, where she said, "Im constantly pushing myself to grow, learn and contribute." She advanced through jobs at Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Nabisco and Kraft before arriving at Campbell's in 2003.

"I get up every morning in learning mode, and it just makes work so much more rewardning when I'm continuously growing, improving, and contributing."

Best to you Denise. Looking forward to the exciting ways you will continue leading the company.

Fondly, Helene

Photo from www.campbellsoupcompany.com

To taste a bit of the exotic we went to the New York Botanical Garden's newest exhibition: Spanish Paradise: Gardens of the Alhambra. Upon stepping into the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, visitors feel as though they are transported to the actual Alhambra, a palace located in the Province of Granada, Spain. Take a look.

Video Editor: Marie Hankinson

Last night I was invited by Garth Brooks to sit at his table at the Songwriters Hall of Fame when he was being inducted. What a treat — I had a fabulous time. I was so excited to meet Garth's tribe, and his teenage daughters — Taylor, August and Allie — were wonderful.  And yes, his wife Trisha Yearwood was there too (as Garth puts it, she's his soulmate).

Billy Joel introduced Garth as the last inductee of the night. Garth sang solo and was then joined by Billy to perform a number together — well, the house was rockin'!

But what really touched me was when Garth accepted the award, he said "the real success for me, is if my daughters are happy." And during the evening Trisha sang a medley of Hal David songs, which was amazing. When I turned to see Garth's reaction to his wife's performance, tears were running down his face. I can only guess that he was touched by the love he felt for her.

Garth...you are a winner in more ways than one...I am proud to be your friend.

Garth, Trisha and I

Me with Trisha Yearwood and Garth's daughters: from left, August, Allie and Taylor

Other inductees to the Songwriters Hall of Fame were John Bettis, Leon Russell, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly, Allen Toussaint. And special awards went to Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Drake, Chaka Khan, and Hal David.

Last night I attended an event presented by the Families and Work Institute: the 2011 Work Life Legacy Awards.

Ellen Galinsky (left), the President and Co-Founder of Families and Work Institute has pioneered the effort to change the conversation about work/life issues—these issues are of major concern to Corporate America and institutions across the country. The honorees were José Berrios, President BTG, Doug Conant, the CEO of Campbell Soup Company. 

I love to be in a room where several hundred people are truly committed to making a difference. The energy is powerful. 

One of womenworking.com's top 5 male champions attended, Ted Childs (top right). Carol Evans (right), a fabulous leader, President of Working Mother Media was also there.

With work inspired by strong women in mythology, bold visual artist Andrea Arroyo presents "Sacred Women."

We were there to meet this talented painter as she described her methods and her story. Take a look below, and also read about her in this month's Daring Woman feature.

Video Editor: Marie Hankinson

The annual Central Park Conservancy’s Taste of Summer brings together New York City restaurants, patrons, and donors, giving back to their beloved park and allowing guests to enjoy some of the best food the city has to offer.

Jason Grant, one of the Conservancy’s workers, mentioned that 40 restaurants apply each year to come. Those in attendance represent a wide range of cuisine, offering everything from appetizers and drinks, to decadent sweets.

Danielle Louie (above), baker and owner of Ivy Bakery, brought a tantalizing display of cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies and chocolate. When it comes to summer baking favorites, Danielle hopes that “pies will become the next big thing, but right now everyone loves their cupcakes.”

Christine Campbell (above), representing Sushi Shamba — which offers a wide range of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian fusion dishes — explained that the Wagyu Sushi Nigiri available for tasting “showed the versatility of Sushi Shamba’s cooking, to show that there’s more to sushi than just raw fish.”

Nearly 1,000 New Yorkers tasted and danced the night away at this urban oasis.

Tomorrow, City of Hope — one of the nation’s premier cancer organizations — will recognize ABC’s “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, Laura Geller and Elayne “Honey” Cook, with the Spirit of Life Award. I interviewed Robin about her battle against breast cancer. She was diagnosed in 2007 and since then has successfully undergone treatment. Today, Robin is healthy and spreading the word about the importance of early detection. Here are some highlights from our interview.

Helene Lerner: When you found the lump, what was your reaction and how were you able to move through your fear?

Robin Roberts: I was scared. I’m no different than any other woman who finds a lump — things race through your head. But because I had checked myself before, I knew this one felt different. It was in a different part of my breast and was harder than others. That’s when I knew I really needed to take action.

I did not want to worry anybody. Even my doctor — I went in and it was hard for me to say it. Finally, I said, “You know — it’s probably nothing but I have this lump.” I was proud of myself for speaking up. When I became public about the disease, I felt like I was being a voice for others.

HL: How can we as women support each other in those dark moments?

RR: As women, we are intuitive to begin with. If someone is going through a hard time, don’t wait for them to ask for help, be more proactive. Bring over a casserole, don’t wait for us to ask for it. There were times when I would tell people I needed help, but more often than not someone would simply come over to walk my dog without me asking.

HL: I love what you’ve said: “You have to put yourself in the position for good things to happen to you.”

RR:  You can wish, hope, and pray — but if you do not actually take action and put yourself in the position for good things, you are not positioning yourself for success. When I raised my hand in that examining room, I was positioning myself for early detection and success.

HL: You mentioned your mom, Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts, and what a powerful influence she has been on you.

RR: She was the first in her family to go to college — she went to Howard University on $200. She makes friends with everyone wherever she goes. I’m so incredibly grateful for my upbringing.

Last night I attended a function for a terrific organization the Caron New York Recovery Center. Its mission is to provide recovery for life through unique services offered for adolescence, young adults, their families and anyone affected by the disease of addiction.

Addiction is a major concern in this country. It's important to support the treatment and recovery of addicts and their loved ones. Addiction goes beyond drugs and alcohol to other areas. Watch this video as we speak to the experts and get the input of passionate supporters like Patti LaBelle and Dr. John.

Video Editor: Grace Zinnel

We were at the 33rd Annual Outstanding Mother Awards yesterday. The honorees were Susan Sarandon, Joyce Armeli (Senior Vice President, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.), Donna Karan, Glamour Magazine Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

I asked them about the dymamic bond between mothers and daughters. Their responses were touching and insightful. Enjoy!

Video Editor: Grace Zinnel

Donna Karan's Urban Zen Foundation raises awareness that inspires change in the areas of well-being, preserving cultures, and empowering children. When I walk into their building in the West Village of New York City, my stress dissipates. An environment of oneness and the power of truth permeates the facility.

I attended two discussions of the Sustainable Wellness Series with Dr. Frank Lipman. One was with Dr. Christiane Northrup and Kris Carr, the other with Arianna Huffington. Dr. Lipman was brilliant as he called for a "health revolution" and led the women in deep conversations.

Here are some of the highlights from the women who were featured in these important sessions.

Video Editor: Grace Zinnel