Christina Applegate, Christina Aguilera, Maria Bello and Anne Hathaway were among the stars honoured for their charity work at a glitzy event in LA.
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel played host to Variety’s first annual Power Of Women Luncheon, where the philanthropic impact of women in entertainment was highlighted.
Actress Jane Lynch hosted the lunch and said the time and effort each star had put into fundraising was incredibly impressive.
“These are very busy, successful women who have found time and a place in their heart to give back to others and make a huge impact,” she said.
She said Samantha Who? actress Christina Applegate – a breast cancer survivor – had made an impressive difference with her charity work through her foundation, Right Action For Women.
“She just went through a battle with cancer and I know she nursed her mother through one earlier. She has her own foundation now and she’s given back to people, they’ve benefited from her experience,” she said.
Maria Bello was honoured for her work with the Save Darfur Coalition.
Speaking before the lunch, she told reporters: “The genocide in Darfur has been going on for the last seven years. The violence against women there, rape is a weapon of war and an instrument of genocide. It’s outrageous, something needs to be addressed – not only in Darfur but all over the world.”
“What makes a woman powerful is using the gifts that you’ve been given to give back to the world,” she added.
