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2003 Matrix Awards Luncheon
April 28, 2003
Moments before the attendees were ushered into the 2003 Matrix Awards luncheon on April 28, the Waldorf=Astoria ballroom was a scene of anticipation—the lighting dimmed, music on, wait staff making final preparations.
It was an event you felt special to be part of, because of the location, the speakers and the women sitting all around you.
Patrice Tanaka, current president of New York Women in Communication Inc., began by addressing the crowd of 1300 about the luncheon theme of "Women Who Change the World" and the importance of balancing wellness of the mind, body and spirit. She praised the award winners on their ability to raise families, perform community service, practice yoga, and play a role in their local churches and synagogues while making the most of their communication careers.
NYWICI and its membership were then honored in their own right. A short film showed just how inspiring this organization is to young women poised to enter the communications industry. Attendees heard first hand from this year's NYWICI Foundation high school and college scholarship winners-presented by Deb Shriver, the Foundation's current president-about the thrill of winning these scholarships and of being associated with women of distinction in their chosen industry. The luncheon alone raised $800,000 this year for the New York area's largest foundation for scholarships.
Beth Comstock, Matrix Luncheon chair, then introduced the luncheon's host, Tina Fey, repertory player and head writer for NBC's "Saturday Night Live" who officially began the awards ceremony.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented the first award for "Outstanding Service Communications to New York" to Christy A. Ferer for guiding families, like hers, effected by the tragedy of September 11, 2001 through the process of receiving information and emotional and financial support. Her advice: "Don't wait for a tragedy to reach out…to heal, help or inspire our fellow Americans."
Next, David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, honored his long-time friend who has "the energy of a hummingbird," Maurie Perl, senior vice president of Conde Nast Publications. Receiving the Public Relations award, Perl thanked NYWICI for "giving me one of the greatest thrills of my life!"
Actress and friend Mary Tyler Moore presented Sheila Nevins, executive vice president of original programming at HBO, with the Broadcasting award. Nevins said she "had no one to thank for being here." Women are often considered lucky for where they are, she said, "On behalf of women who have achieved…we are ballsy, hardworking and entitled, NOT lucky."
Honored by President of CBS News Andrew Heyward as a lady with "spunk," Kate White, editor-in-chief at Cosmopolitan and winner of the Magazine award, thanked her mother for giving her a copy of "Sex and the Single Girl" at age 16, telling her to be like author Helen Gurley Brown. Little did she know how closely White would follow that advice!
Gretchen Morgenson, Pulitzer-prize winning reporter and columnist for The New York Times, received the Newspapers award from President of Rohatyn Associates LLC Felix Rohatyn. Morgenson saluted her grandmother Edith, a powerful woman "when it was uncommon or unwelcome," and her mother Rebecca who taught her that character is the real foundation of success.
Author Toni Morrison awarded her friend of 27 years Carolyn K. Reidy, president of adult publishing group at Simon & Schuster. Reidy thanked her parents for sparking her perpetual curiosity and for creating an environment of love and acceptance.
Cristina Saralegui, CEO of Cristina Saralegui Enterprises, Inc., presented the Advertising award to Chairman & CEO of The Bravo Group, Daisy Exposito-Ulla. Exposito-Ulla, the first Latina to receive a Matrix Award, said advertising takes ingenuity, invention and passion, especially in overcoming tough years and uncertainty in creating the Hispanic advertising industry.
Finally, saluting her friend of more than 20 years, playwright Wendy J. Wasserstein praised the kindness, compassion and humanity of Jane Rosenthal, partner of Tribeca Entertainment. Rosenthal, the Arts & Entertainment award winner, claimed her willingness to take risks made her successful and suggested that we "fail forward" without regrets.
Wise words from women who are changing our world.
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