LK's Charity Gala...

It was a classic Autumn night in "The City". A crisp cool evening, the Yankess were winning playoff games in the Bronx, and we were all gathered at a standing room only Gotham Hall to celebrate LK being honored by the UNFPA at the 2009 Gala for the Health & Dignity of Women. The night had the kind of electricity and anticipation that is vintage Manhattan...

It was an extraordinary evening seeing the likes of Beth Comstock (CMO GE and LK neighbor), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Mrs. Ban Soon-taek and LK, not as Media Mogul but as charitable humanitarian for women & families in Nicaragua. It was a proud moment for all of us who work with her to see her living the Unilever vitally mission in her own life. But it had to be an especially proud moment for her husband Kevin and two of her daughters Rosie and Katie..(her other daughter Julianne had to miss the event as she just started college abroad).

LK's star power was in full force this evening as evidenced by the packed house at Gotham Hall. Tables were filled by friends, family and colleagues who purchased tables and donated thousands. This was a true testament to LK's popularity, integrity and the power of the cause.

And on the not so serious side...it also served as a reunion of sorts for many of us who are now placed all over the world to get together over a few good laughs, food and drinks...

The night started out with a little cocktail hour...

LK and her daughters with Monira Rahman, Executive Director, Survivors Foundation, Bangladesh and winner of the 2009 Victoria Sant Awards for the Health and Dignity of Women



Babinator, Dougie "fresh" and Dave "money"...


The old Unilever Greenwich/Chicago crew...Jen Bremner, Betsy Tomasulo & PR Guru, Heather Mitchell...


LK, Master of all Media & KOB...


LK holding court with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon


The Microsoft Crew all cleaned up after a raging WPP summit in Athens..along with old AOL favorite..now @ Discovery Kathy Kayse..


LK's girls hangin with babs (twitter name: babs26)


LK was then honored over dinner with a great introduction from Francisca del Carmen Espinoza Ortiz, Founder, Jinotega’s Maternity Home, Nicaragua


And she makes a powerful and moving speech...



More hangin over dinner...
LK & her girls...



The Sapient Crew...


Aditi Manwani daughter of Unilever Regional President AMEA Harish Manwani...and working at Facebook in New York..


Soon the night moved to a hotel whose name desribed the night perfectly..."the livin the dream" hotel...

LK, Katie and Rosebud learning the ropes from a couple of old media veterans "Babinator and Fresh"..









But then husband Kev straightened them out...



Its not a big event if the PR crew isnt there...

LK and Christine Cea...


The Edelman Team: Larry and Christina...


LK & Family...





And then the evening started to go deep into the night..

Epstein and Heather..


Fresh and Bestsy..



All in all, an amazing night..Inspirational, exciting and fun...Like the apple always is..Congrats LK...we are all humbled by your amazing contributions to this effort...

- Babs