Girl Power

(LOS ANGELES) Ladies took center stage Monday night when Elle paid homage to Hollywood's most esteemed women at the 15th Annual Women In Hollywood Tribute. Angie Harmon, Jennifer Lopez, Sheryl Crow, Shirley Maclaine, Jenny McCarthy, Courtney Cox and a Calvin Klein-clad Eva Mendez joined in celebrating the evening's honorees with an intimate dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel.

"We are more than just a great set of legs, ladies," joked the night's emcee, Chelsea Handler. "Well, except Sarah Palin. That's pretty much where she peaked." Elle editor in chief Robbie Myers, opened the evening with a more poignant question: "Who is telling our stories? It's the seven women we honor here tonight." Those seven honorees were Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway, Sigourney Weaver, Isla Fisher, director Catherine Hardwicke and Jane Fonda.

Ladies doting on ladies seemed to be the theme of the evening. The winter-white carpet buzzed with female celebrities expressing admiration for their fellow women. "Anne Hathaway is one of the most genuinely amazing people that I have ever met," gushed Amber Tamblyn. "I'm really obsessed with Judy Dench," said Kate Beckinsale, looking stunning in white Derek Lam. Once inside the banquet hall, the compliments continued: "I love women," Berry said, "I know how important women are. I sit on the shoulders of other women. All of the women here tonight, you have inspired me." Calvin Klein Spotlight recipient Fisher voiced her admiration for fellow Aussie honoree, Kidman. "For me to be included and invited to something where Nicole Kidman is being honored as well is very flattering."

Love was certainly in the air for Legend Award honoree Jane Fonda. "I'm so excited to see Jane Fonda tonight, she's a dear friend. She's been my hero for a long time, so I'm thrilled about that," remarked Kerry Washington, who presented Fonda with her award. In accepting her own award, Hathaway giddily noted, "you won't find a woman in this room who won't kiss your feet, myself included." But it was Kidman who really epitomized the sentiment of the evening: "Women are the heartbeat of the family. If we take care of the women of the world, we take care of families. And by that, we take care of the world."
SARAH HOWARD