Women’s Day at the top
March 8th is THE day for women’s celebration all over the world (or at least it should be!) And this year, two generous hostesses joined hands for a perfect and high-class celebration luncheon In NYC Plaza: KarineOhana, of Ohana & Co. (a boutique-mergers-and-acquisitions firm of fashion and beauty) and Mathilde Thomas, founder of Caudalie.
Women on top!
The Plaza Luncheon was catered by Chef Daniel Boulud, and the wine by Chateau Smith Haut Laffite, and you can safely say that everybody enjoyed the food and the wine, all the more as they were attending the charity event to listen to some distinguished speakers: Mathilde Thomas, for Caudalie, explaining the 1% concept, that is, giving 1% of the sales to environmental charities, this way providing for the planting of 150,000 trees in Peru, and over the next three years, 200,000 trees in Brazil. Susan Rockefeller then spoke of her dedicated work with Oceana, reminding the ocean provides 50 percent of oxygen, which is every other breath we take. She therefore tries to make everybody in the world realize how fragile this natural resource is, and talked about her short film, called Mission of Mermaids (MOM), a very personal and moving ode to the sea and a plea for its protection.
Men too!
Then, it was men’s turn: John Kluge Jr., of Eirene, an organization that focuses on providing waste management, spoke about the sanitation disasters and prejudices in the developing countries with no private bathrooms or toilets, and girls’ ability to attend school after menstrual cycle, diminishing to a point of no return, as one can fall way behind schoolwork when missing one week of school per month. As to Adam Braun, founder and C.E.O. of Pencils of Promise, he spoke very charismatically about the power of a pencil and their having built more than 100 schools in devastated countries. He also reminded all of the guests that where one starts should never be where one finishes—that “your dreams should scare you, and if you're not scared of them then your dreams are not big enough!"
In closing, KarineOhana introduced Annette Richardson, senior adviser at the U.N. Office for Partnerships, who shared her thoughts on how she sees women as an emerging market and an economic power. “If we are not protecting our environment, we are not protecting our human rights.” Last but not least, Ruma Bose, of GlobalEntrepreneur's Council, United Nations Foundation, stressed how much the emerging countries are in need of similar generous projects and thanked all those present for their care.
The wonderful hostesses and guests said goodbye, hoping their causes won’t be lost to lip service, but picked up and put into motion by everybody, from the anonymous guy in the street to the powerful people, whatever their field of action. For our planet is worth it!
The Plaza Luncheon was catered by Chef Daniel Boulud, and the wine by Chateau Smith Haut Laffite, and you can safely say that everybody enjoyed the food and the wine, all the more as they were attending the charity event to listen to some distinguished speakers: Mathilde Thomas, for Caudalie, explaining the 1% concept, that is, giving 1% of the sales to environmental charities, this way providing for the planting of 150,000 trees in Peru, and over the next three years, 200,000 trees in Brazil. Susan Rockefeller then spoke of her dedicated work with Oceana, reminding the ocean provides 50 percent of oxygen, which is every other breath we take. She therefore tries to make everybody in the world realize how fragile this natural resource is, and talked about her short film, called Mission of Mermaids (MOM), a very personal and moving ode to the sea and a plea for its protection.
Men too!
Then, it was men’s turn: John Kluge Jr., of Eirene, an organization that focuses on providing waste management, spoke about the sanitation disasters and prejudices in the developing countries with no private bathrooms or toilets, and girls’ ability to attend school after menstrual cycle, diminishing to a point of no return, as one can fall way behind schoolwork when missing one week of school per month. As to Adam Braun, founder and C.E.O. of Pencils of Promise, he spoke very charismatically about the power of a pencil and their having built more than 100 schools in devastated countries. He also reminded all of the guests that where one starts should never be where one finishes—that “your dreams should scare you, and if you're not scared of them then your dreams are not big enough!"
In closing, KarineOhana introduced Annette Richardson, senior adviser at the U.N. Office for Partnerships, who shared her thoughts on how she sees women as an emerging market and an economic power. “If we are not protecting our environment, we are not protecting our human rights.” Last but not least, Ruma Bose, of GlobalEntrepreneur's Council, United Nations Foundation, stressed how much the emerging countries are in need of similar generous projects and thanked all those present for their care.
The wonderful hostesses and guests said goodbye, hoping their causes won’t be lost to lip service, but picked up and put into motion by everybody, from the anonymous guy in the street to the powerful people, whatever their field of action. For our planet is worth it!
Mars 2013
By Katya PELLEGRINO
Speakers
Mathilde Thomas, 1% for the Planet- www.onepercentfortheplanet.org
Susan Rockefeller, Oceana Foundation - www.oceana.org
John Kluge Jr., Eirëne - www.eirene.com
Adam Braun. Pencils of Promise - www.pencilsofpromise.org
Karine Ohana, Ohana & Co.
Annette Richardson, Senior Advisor United Nations Office for Partnerships
Ruma Bose, Global Entrepreneur's Council, United Nations Foundation
Thanks to
www.Adoreme.com
Assouline
Caudalie
Forbes
Kusmi Tea
Luxe Magazine
Mission of Mermaids jewelry Collection by Susan Rockefeller
Nuria Sarda
NYTimes
Vanity Fair
Whitewall
W Magazine
WWD Magazine
www.ParisPopcorn.com
www.YaaraSumeruk.com
