NEW YORK – The only thing that could compete with the power of women was the power of the sun.
Hand fans and jokes provided some relief on an unseasonably warm afternoon at Variety’s “Power of Women” luncheon, where Mariska Hargitay, Anitta, Amy Schumer and Shonda Rhimes were honored as influential women in their respective careers.
“We’re the lucky ones in this tent,” Schumer joked, comparing the shaded front to the direct sunlight at the back of the outdoor tent Thursday at the Smithsonian Design Museum’s Cooper Hewitt, Upper East Side. “I can’t express my sympathy enough for the back of the room, that feels very Titanic. And there’s just hot fish in front of you, I’m so sorry.”
The women used their time at the mic to advocate for the philanthropic causes they support: Hargitay powerfully denounced the systemic issues she fights with her Joyful Heart Foundation; Anitta honored her Brazilian upbringing by supporting Central Única das Favelas; Rhimes praised the power of community at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy; and Schumer highlighted the ability of mothers to make a difference with Everytown for Gun Safety.
There were moments of levity in between the sometimes emotional speeches, including introductions by Glenn Close, screenwriter (and Jerry Seinfeld’s daughter) Sascha Seinfeld, Brazilian actress Bruna Marquezine and Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria. Comedian, author and late-night talk show host Amber Ruffin moderated the afternoon.
Here’s everything we saw from the event.
Mariska Hargitay sheds tears with Glenn Close: “She is Mother Earth”
Close left the audience – and Hargitay – fighting back tears.
“I’ve been discouraged and overwhelmed for days about how I’m going to introduce my extraordinary friend Mariska in two minutes. How? I mean, she’s a woman among women, she’s a woman among men. She’s a lioness who licks her cubs. She’s one of those extraordinary dogs who can sniff out cancer,” Close said.
“She’s like an ancient, mysterious, powerful, sensual female sculpture in an archaeological museum. She’s a comedian. She’s a healer. She’s Mother Earth. … Blah, blah, blah,” Close said to raucous laughter.
Close then praised Hargitay’s historic 25-season career as Olivia Benson on “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” (“For her, it’s not just TV. It’s life,” Close said.)
“She still finds the heart, the art and the power in her craft. I am completely impressed. She is passion. She is empathy. She is philosophy. She is love,” Close said.
Hargitay was speechless and asked for a tissue to wipe her tears before continuing in a choked voice.
Hargitay spoke about “convictions” and “how impossible it is to revoke mine”: that survivors matter and can reclaim hopeful lives; that patriarchal impunity must end; that a backlog in the production of rape kits is unacceptable; and that the language surrounding rape must change.
‘Law and Order: SVU’ star on Harvey Weinstein’s overturned rape conviction
Hargitay also had a clear message about overturning Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, “particularly the reasons” for it.
“Too many women’s voices were allowed to be heard. Hallelujah,” she said. “I can’t imagine anything better.” She pointed to the risk that New York prosecutors had taken by allowing women to testify against the film mogul.
“Is it risky to let women speak? It damn right is. When too many women speak, it brings change. When too many women speak, it shapes the establishment. When too many women speak, we get listened to more and people might actually hear what we have to say. Look what happened when women started saying just two words: me too,” Hargitay said. “The backlash is a testament to how powerful those voices were, how powerful those voices are.”
Amy Schumer admits her looks made her “vulnerable”
Schumer’s self-deprecating humor took a more serious turn as she recalled how she gave herself strength during a time of uncertainty.
“When I was shooting the cover for this, I was feeling very vulnerable and confused about how I looked,” Schumer told USA TODAY on the red carpet. “And it’s good to remind yourself every once in a while that you’re not like that and process that.” In February, she announced she had been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome after receiving intense criticism online about her “puffy” face and appearance.
Schumer’s honor came at a time when she has received both support and criticism for her comments on the Israel-Gaza war. Some people felt that Palestinians were being lumped together with Hamas.
“The focus is so sharply on the Jews, but not on Hamas,” she told Variety in her cover story for its Power of Women issue. “It’s gotten to the point where you can’t speak for other Jews without people feeling like that’s an insult to the conditions in Gaza,” where more than 35,000 people have been killed after the terror group Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages in Israel in October.
She continued: “I don’t agree with anything Netanyahu does, and the Israelis I know don’t agree with it either. Of course, what is going on in Gaza is disgusting, horrific and unimaginable. And I don’t think it’s OK to hate someone just because they were born Jewish.”
Although Schumer largely avoided the controversy in her speech, Sascha Seinfeld alluded to it in her praise of the comedian.
“As a Jewish woman, I feel much safer knowing that she is there and ready to speak on my behalf when needed,” said 23-year-old Seinfeld at her introduction.
Anitta and Shonda Rhimes value safe spaces
Brazilian pop star Anitta recalled how her childhood in the “ghetto” of her home country’s favelas propelled her to success.
“We’re born believing that these things aren’t possible,” she said. “I wanted to shake my butt, I wanted to be free, I wanted to make my own money. And the person I am here, I just wanted to fight for it.”
She told USA TODAY it was an honor to “represent my country, represent my community,” and she looked forward to bringing “Brazilian energy” on her upcoming tour in support of her new album, “Funk Generation.”
“I want to encourage all of you to find an organization in your community … and roll up your sleeves and help,” Rhimes said.
The ABC senator and “Bridgerton” creator used her entire time on stage to praise Debbie Allen and her dance academy’s commitment to creating a safe space for dancers of all backgrounds.
Previous coverage of Variety’s “Power of Women” events:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mariska Hargitay slams Harvey Weinstein at Variety Power of Women
