“What a week for women it’s been,” said Sarah Silverman at a dinner celebrating Variety magazine’s Power of Women issue on May 5. She was referring to the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Ms. Silverman wore a gold pin that read “Bans off our bodies” with her leopard print Alice + Olivia dress (“Bought it online. Fits like a glove,” she said).
The event took place at the Glasshouse, a modern event space in Midtown Manhattan that faces the Hudson River, and featured some very famous faces — including Amanda Seyfried, Camila Cabello, Queen Latifah, Drew Barrymore and Kim Cattrall, all of whom were being honored. Other guests included Katie Couric, Emily Ratajkowski, Angie Harmon, Jimmy Fallon and Tamron Hall.
In her opening remarks, Claudia Eller, the editor in chief of Variety, explained how the honorees were chosen. “Each of these women use their influence to champion social good,” she said, as the 350 guests ate melon salads.
Ms. Seyfried was honored for her work with the International Network for Aid Relief & Assistance. Queen Latifah, who works with the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, spoke of women’s roles in supporting each other. “When we stand together, there is no level higher,” she said. “I stand on a lot of shoulders, and I have a lot of people standing on mine.
Over grilled branzino, Ms. Cabello, who was introduced by Billy Porter, quoted the writer Alice Walker and talked about her work with the Healing Justice Project. “No matter who you are, you can’t keep going if you don’t have the resources, time, space and tools to heal,” she said.
By the time the blackout chocolate crémeux was served, what was left of the room felt a bit overwhelmed by the weight of the speeches. As the D.J. played Janet Jackson’s “Together Again,” the remaining guests made their way to the exit, pausing to pick up their 30-pound gift bags, which were loaded with skin care products, a book of mindful affirmations, chickpea pasta, but, alas, no magazine.
Queen Latifah, who had changed from her Prada heels to some more comfortable JW Anderson shoes, was one of the last to leave. “I feel very positive,” she said. “I’m going to take this energy into the world,” she said. “Apparently it’s Cinco de Mayo, so there is some celebrating to do. There will be some mischief to be had, somewhere.”
