2013 Glamour Women of the Year Awards

Last night I had the honor of attending the 2013 Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Carnegie Hall. Words cannot begin to describe the feeling of empowerment I felt sitting in this historic room surrounded by some of the most powerful and influential women to ever grace this earth.

Among the amazing honorees were, Lady Gaga, Melinda Gates, Gabby Gifford and Mark Kelly, Liya Kebede and Christy Turlington Burnes, Catherine Martin, Natalie Massenet, Carissa Moore, Kaitlin Roig Debellis, Malala Yousafzai, Kerry Washington (who was unable to attend) and Barbra Streisand. 

And let's not forget the, just as equally, amazing presenters, which included Lena Dunham, Marina Abramovis, Oscar de le Renta, Arianna Huffington, Hillary Clinton, and more.

The feeling of empowerment and pride, from last night's awards, has yet to dissipate. Frankly, I hope it never does. I could honestly sit here and write about my evening and how it made me feel for days, but will keep it to a minimum and share two of my personal highlights from the evening. Lady Gaga and Malala Yousafzai.

The major highlight of my evening was seeing Malala Yousafzai receive her award for Fund Honoree. The now 16-year-old Pakistani education activist literally stole the show and my heart. Just one year ago, Malala was ordered to be silenced by the Taliban for criticizing their stance on limiting girls' access to education. A man boarded her school bus in Pakistan's Swat Valley and fired a bullet right through her head. Malala has since gained global prominence, has started The Malala Fund to support education for girls, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and recently released a memoir, "I am Malala." For Malala to be standing here, in front of my very eyes, continuing her fight for women's rights to education is astounding. "I believe the gun has no power because a gun can only kill," she said. "But a pen can give life." I have never heard wiser words from such a young woman.  Malala Yousafzai, you are, without a doubt, my hero!

As for Lady Gaga, I could instantly see how the emotion of the evening affected her by the tear stains through her powdered make-up, as she received her Women of the Year award. Many of those tears were generated from ,what I like to call, The Malala Effect. Gaga stated, "If I could forfeit my Glamour cover I would give it to Malala." She began her acceptance speech criticizing her own December Glamour cover, speaking out on the damaging use of photoshop and its influence on young women. "I felt my skin looked too perfect. I felt my hair looked too soft," she said. "I do not look like this when I wake in the morning... I don't even look like this," referring to her powdered up face and wild frizzed out wig. "Fight back against the forces that say you have to be beautiful, she continued. "It is fair to write about the change in your magazines. But what I want to see if the change on your covers... When the covers change, that's when culture changes." This is one of the many issues touched on during her acceptance speech. I can honestly say, I have a new found respect for Lady Gaga.

Thank you, Glamour Magazine, for hosting an incredible evening. I have never been more proud and inspired to be a woman. I left Carnergie Hall completely empowered and ready to take on the world in a new light. And for that, I am forever grateful.

Donate to The Malala Fund HERE or text MALALA to 50555 to give $10 to Catapult benefiting Malala Fund

A night like this would not be complete without a selfie. Obviii
Here is a pic of myself and, my beautiful date, Nina. 

Photo credits: Popsugar & Glamour