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Hearst 100: Joanna Coles Annual Power Luncheon Addresses Sexual Harassment

December 13, 2017 By Tammy Haddad

Joanna Coles, Sarah Jessica Parker and Liz Hannah. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Joanna Coles hosted a lineup of power women — and Hearst men — at Michael’s in New York City on Monday for the annual Hearst 100 luncheon.

“I know that last year at this luncheon, many of us felt some anxiety,” Coles said of 2016’s event, which followed the presidential ascension of Donald Trump. “This year, that anxiety has turned to anger. We woke up in a house that is on fire, but at least we are now all awake.”

.@JoannaColes introduces guests at the #Hearst100 luncheon. #HearstLife pic.twitter.com/EusTP6AcLe

— HEARST (@Hearst) December 11, 2017

As in years past, the event, which was formerly known as the Cosmo 100, drew an eclectic crowd from across industries. Guests included Katie Holmes, Sarah Jessica Parker, Candice Huffine, Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, Norah O’Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Arianna Huffington, producer Amy Pascal, power posing expert Amy Cuddy, New York City Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, E Street band member (and Bruce Springsteen spouse) Patti Scialfa, screenwriter Liz Hannah, who was in town to promote the Katharine Graham biopic “The Post,” and tennis legend Billie Jean King.

Honored to be attending the #Hearst100 Luncheon today. Having a great time with @laurenblauren! @Hearst pic.twitter.com/B2gBwaA1Ri

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 11, 2017

The Hearst contingent was out in full force — and, for the first time, male editors were invited. “We have to all get through the next few years together, so it seemed only incumbent upon us to invite them,” Coles explained. Almost all the editors in chief were there, including Esquire’s Jay Fielden, Town & Country’s Stellene Volandes, Elle’s new editor in chief Nina Garcia and executive editor Emma Rosenblum, Elle Decor’s Whitney Robinson, O’s Lucy Kaylin, Marie Claire’s Anne Fulenwider, Cosmopolitan’s Michele Promaulayko, and Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey.

#Hearst100 with host @JoannaColes and @AliEWentworth @CynthiaEriVo @DianeSawyer pic.twitter.com/rSqT3WmsWY

— Patrick McMullan (@PatrickMcMullan) December 13, 2016

The theme of the event, both in casual discussions over the salad course and in the speeches over salmon and lentils, was, naturally, the recent sexual harassment allegations roiling industries and bringing resignations on a seemingly daily basis.

“I think it’s fair to say that since last year a lot has gone down. We are currently having the most extraordinary discussion about sexual harassment,” Coles said.

.@JoannaColes @Hearst 100 @meganmurp @MalinAkerman #hearst100 #llovebillions pic.twitter.com/TFNCE2JyNs

— Tammy Haddad (@haddadmedia) December 12, 2016

“I’ve actually placed a survivor of sexual harassment at every table. I’m talking about the potted plants,” she quipped, referring to a particularly unsavory detail in an allegation against Harvey Weinstein. “I thought that was going to get more of a laugh,” she noted, which did succeed in getting a laugh.

Charlotte Jones Anderson, Megan Murphy, Arianna Huffington, Emma Rosenblum and Tammy Haddad. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Coles finished by uniting the current political moment with a Cosmo-type spin: “Don’t worry about the calories in the dessert cookies, because if Roy Moore wins tomorrow, we will all be throwing up,” she said.

Novelist Holly Peterson and filmmaker Jane Rosenthal. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

In keeping with the theme, the biggest celebrities in the Garden Room were Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, The New York Times reporters who broke the Harvey Weinstein story. The duo seem to be on a bit of an awards circuit — they also spoke at Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards last month, also to a standing ovation and again recounted the story that started the “Me Too” moment.

“Now more than ever our voices matter.” – @JoannaColes #hearst100 pic.twitter.com/Qk4HDJgh5u

— wendy clark (@wnd) December 12, 2016

“Trying to report on Harvey Weinstein seemed like climbing Mount Everest. A lot of people told us that we wouldn’t succeed, they told us about all the famous male journalists who had come before us and basically implied that we would not be able to get the story. But they also said that it wouldn’t matter,” Kantor told the crowd. “They basically said ‘You go publish your little story. Nothing will change.’”

So excited to #ListenToWomen at this years #Hearst100 @michaelsnewyork pic.twitter.com/YTfojfEPHG

— jami floyd (@jamifloyd) December 11, 2017

“The people who questioned us, there was good reason to wonder whether we would be able to pull it off,” Twohey said, describing the obstacles they faced: legal settlements and nondisclosure agreements that prevented people from speaking out, a culture that made women feel that they couldn’t speak our without risking their careers, and systemic issues.

“As we turn into 2018, the question is what are going to be the systemic solutions,” she concluded.

I believe it is women who will turn this country around- @CecileRichards @PPact #hearst100 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 @JoannaColes pic.twitter.com/EyKNzXNCZx

— laura brounstein (@laurabrounstein) December 12, 2016

A lot of powerful women joined forces this afternoon at the #Hearst100 luncheon! https://t.co/0d4unPQafA

— JustJared.com (@JustJared) December 12, 2017

#Hearst100 #jealous #mediaELITE
Joanna Coles and Cecile Richards at Hearst Power Lunch https://t.co/3bv8k9bYc7

— Tina Richmann York (@T_Richmann_York) December 14, 2016

#squadgoals 👐🏾 thank you @JoannaColes for your invitation to #hearst100 pic.twitter.com/boLIt0syj2

— Amani (@xoamani) December 12, 2017

Talk about #PowerWomen! Invigorated by the commitment to work together to combat sexism and advance women at #Hearst100 lunch. pic.twitter.com/9i0BhFdwDi

— Alicia Glen (@DMAliciaGlen) December 12, 2017

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Exploring “behind the scenes” of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

We track the White House Correspondents’ weekend and all the activities around it, from journalists and media companies to the White House and politicos.

Tammy Haddad is Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of WHC Insider and CEO of Haddad Media.

White House Correspondents Insider is not affiliated with or approved by the White House Correspondents’ Association, which is a registered trademark of the WHCA.

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