By Tim Saunders on
Some of the hottest female stars in show business, including Christina Applegate, Christina Aguilera, Maria Bello and Anne Hathaway, were honored for their charity work at Variety’s first annual Power Of Women Luncheon last week.
Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and hosted by Jane Lynch, the event highlighted the humanitarian work carried out by women in the entertainment business.
“These are very busy, successful women who have found time and a place in their heart to give back to others and make a huge impact,” said Lynch.
Among the honorees, Applegate was honored for her fight against cancer and her establishment of the Right Action for Women organization.
“The women I talk to really inspire me,” Applegate said. “The women who come up to me every day and say, ‘I was high-risk; I thought I had to wait until I was 45 to find out, but I went and got an MRI and I have cancer.’ Hopefully one day we’ll have a system that covers this.”
Maria Bello was also honored, for her work with the Save Darfur Coallition.
“The genocide in Darfur has been going on for the last seven years,” she said. "The violence against women there, rape is a weapon of war and an instrument of genocide. It’s outrageous, something needs to be addressed – not only in Darfur but all over the world.
“What makes a woman powerful is using the gifts that you’ve been given to give back to the world.”
“To be honest, I feel a little weird getting an award for it,” said Anne Hathaway, who was honored for her work with Service Nation. “There are so many people who do so much more than what I do. But I also understand that this is an amazing opportunity for exposure and fundraising.”
Other honorees included Sherry Lansing and Sigourney Weaver.
Copyright © 2009 Look to the Stars
