Edward R. Matthews, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of New York City (UCP of NYC), and Loreen Arbus, Founder & Chair of Women Who Care, announced today that Susan Lucci, star of the hit series “Devious Maids,” Emmy award-winning actress from “All My Children,” host of Investigation Discovery’s “Deadly Affairs,” and New York Times best-selling author, will return for the third consecutive year as host of The 14th Annual Women Who Care Awards Luncheon.
For the first time, Thomas Roberts, award-winning and Emmy award-nominated anchor of “MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts,” fill-in host on NBC’s “TODAY,” former host of MSNBC’s “Way Too Early,” contributor on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” and recipient of the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award, will co-host the awards luncheon with Ms. Lucci. Roberts will be the first ever male co-host of Women Who Care.
The luncheon, to be held Thursday, May 7th, at Cipriani 42nd Street, benefits United Cerebral Palsy of New York City and celebrates the accomplishments of extraordinary women as professionals, philanthropists, and caregivers, who have broken glass ceilings and inspired others through their professional and charitable endeavors.
Ms. Lucci is a former Women Who Care award honoree and a longtime celebrity supporter of UCP of NYC.
“I am very touched by United Cerebral Palsy of New York City’s impact as a lifeline for thousands of children, families, and adults with disabilities,” says Susan Lucci. “I am particularly impressed by the comprehensive nature of their ongoing programs and services which encompass so many different aspects of health, education, assisted technology, and the arts.”
In addition to narrating a video for UCP of NYC and Susan G. Komen to help raise breast health awareness for women with disabilities, Ms. Lucci’s charitable work is wide-ranging. Her commitment to helping children has taken her to Africa in support of Feed the Children. She has served as the March Of Dimes National Ambassador in 2000, and as a celebrity spokesperson for AMDeC (Academic Medicine Development Company) and The New York Cancer Project. She has also been involved with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and is the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the prestigious New York City Gracie Award, and the Muse Award for Women in Film & Television. She was inducted into the American Academy of Achievement Awards and presented with the Italian Board of Guardians Lifetime Achievement Award.
Thomas Roberts observes: “I am delighted and honored to be the first male co-host of this great event, which draws attention to the achievements of so many outstanding and extraordinary women, and helps United Cerebral Palsy of New York City do its deeply valuable work.”
Prior to his addition to MSNBC’s team, Mr. Roberts served as a correspondent for CBS News. He also contributed to several entertainment shows including “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider,” and before that, was a news anchor for CNN Headline News. He is an award-winning journalist, having received a 2002 Emmy nomination and a Virginia Associated Press award for his work on the documentary, “Parvo Puppies.” He received an Edward R. Murrow award in 2001 for a documentary that he produced titled, “When Parents Don’t Pay.” He has been honored for his work as an advocate in the LGBT community, and was the recipient of the prestigious Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign. He has also been honored by the Stonewall Community Foundation, Marriage Equality USA, and The National Crime Victim Bar Association.
Loreen Arbus is Founder/Chair of Women Who Care. Susan Spencer, Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Day, will be Honorary Chair of the event, and Donna Hanover, journalist/radio personality and former First Lady of New York City, returns as Honorary Co-Chair. Tamsen Fadal, Emmy award-winning Anchor of PIX 11 News, will be a new Women Who Care Co-Chair. She joins returning Co-Chairs Robin Givens, actress/director/author; Ali Stroker of “Glee Project” and “Glee” fame; and Emmy award winner Paula Zahn, host of “On the Case with Paula Zahn.” Hearst Corporation returns as lead sponsor of Women Who Care.
Honorees for this year’s luncheon include news journalists Judy Woodruff & Al Hunt, social entrepreneur Joan Hornig and Ernst & Young (EY). A special presentation will include Charlie Rose. In addition to Ms. Lucci, previous Women Who Care honorees include Robin Roberts, Cyndi Lauper, Diane Sawyer, Gayle King, Lauren Bush Lauren, Judith Light, Amy Lee, Ann Curry, Marlo Thomas, China Machado, Roxanne Mankin Cason, Francine LeFrak, Anne Sweeney, Patricia Duff, Terrie Williams, Dr. Pamela Gallin, Maysoon Zayid, Julia Monk, Hannah Jacobs, Linda Kaplan Thaler, and many other extraordinarily accomplished women.
Past celebrity presenters for Women Who Care include: Oprah Winfrey, Diane von Furstenberg, Jimmy Smits, America Ferrera, Cynthia Nixon, Ivanka Trump, Danny Glover, Meredith Vieira, Alan Rickman, Nicole Miller, Deborah Norville, Alex Witt, Cynthia McFadden, Dr. Oz, Maurice DuBois, Mike Woods, Regis Philbin, Michelle Bachelet, the former President of Chile, as well as Frank Bennack , Jr., Executive Vice Chairman and former CEO of the Hearst Corporation, and many other VIPs.
