By Beth Greene
On a gorgeous spring-like day in late fall, I was invited to celebrate "classic women" with Traditional Home magazine. Every year in early November the editors of the magazine celebrate five women and their journeys and stories in the November/December Holiday issue.
What a wonderful way to welcome the holidays with the heartfelt undying devotion of these fabulous women. The room at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, overlooking sun drenched Central Park, was filled with members of the design industry and dignitaries. Always a true tear jerker, this year's event did not disappoint.
The Today Show’s Natalie Morales, co-hosting Traditional Home Magazine’s Classic Woman Awards at the Mandarin Oriental on Monday, Nov 7 in NYC.
I was star struck not only by these amazing women but also event hosts Ann Maine, Editor in Chief, Publisher Beth Brenner, and Today Show news anchor Natalie Morales, who served as Master of Ceremonies. As a crazy obsessed Today Show fan, this was like being near royalty for me!
The honorees were truly inspring this year. Liz Ferro, a product of the nation's foster care system, brings wellness and fitness to girls suffering from abuse through her charity Girls with Sole. Through the Bone Marrow Foundation, Christina Merrill raises money for homeless cancer patients in need of bone marrow transplants. New Orleans children of Hurricane Katrina have music and instruments brought back into their lives thanks to Mary von Kurnatowski and Tipitina's Foundation/ Instruments A Comin'. Kendra Stitt Robins works tirelessly to outfit each child in a homeless shelter with a book, a teddy bear, a blanket and a bag through Project Night Out. That one really hit close to home for me and many others in the audience. Lastly Lynne Patterson and Pro Mujer offers training and classes to Latin American women to empower them and encourage entrepreneurship and financial responsibility.
Left to right, Beth Fuchs Brenner, Publisher, Traditional Home magazine, Natalie Morales, The Today Show; Lynne Patterson, Pro Mujer; Christina Merrill, The Bone Marrow Foundation; Liz Ferro, Girls with Sole; Ann Omvig Maine, Editor in Chief, Traditional Home magazine
All of these women have fully dedicated themselves to these worthy causes and garnered support from their local communities as well as nationally recognized sponsors.
What a terrific tribute. Proud to be a woman is an understatement!
Photos courtesy of Traditional Home
