"The takers may eat, but the givers sleep better,” said Emmy Award-winning actress and philanthropist Marlo Thomas at Cipriani 42nd Street, at the “Women Who Care Luncheon: Celebrating the Professional and Personal Accomplishments of Women.” The annual event benefits United Cerebral Palsy of NYC, the city’s premier health and disability organization providing resources to children, adults, and families.

This year’s three honorees — inspiring female role models who have blazed new trails or broken glass ceilings — included actor and producer Tonja Walker (who made a special presentation to honor the “Women of 9/11”), SoftSheen-Carson President Candace Matthews, and recording artist Shawnna (who movingly spoke about her son, afflicted with cerebral palsy, and the joy he brings to her life).

A special Loreen Arbus Women Who Care Opportunity Scholarship Award was presented to 13-year-old Alexis Simpkins, who cannot speak but can interact with others and who plans to attend Camp Allen, a week-long New Hampshire summer camp that caters to kids with disabilities. The presentation was made by Arbus, herself, event co-chair, television industry bigwig, famed Argentine Tango dancer and choreographer, and noted national advocate for the disabled. Eleanor Hammerman, founding patron of the Initiative for Women With Disabilities at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, also was presented with the Luella Bennack Volunteer Award by former CBS anchor Dan Rather, who requested 10 seconds of silence to remember our troops fighting overseas. In her acceptance, Hammerman maintained, “People with disabilities are just people with different abilities.” Other special presenters included: Law & Order: SVU’s Tamara Tunie, Guiding Light’s Crystal Hunt, Matilda Cuomo, and Terrie Williams.

Event emcee Donna Hanover treated the crowd to comments about her book, My Boyfriend’s Back (Penguin, 2005), a feel-good chronicle of her rekindled romance and marriage with a former high school love, including profiles of other reunited and reignited couples. “When your boyfriend comes back to you when you’re in your 50s and apologizes, it’s a good thing,” the former Mrs. Giuliani told the crowd. Event co-chair Pat Ganzi was also front and center, with honorary chair and Hearst Magazines President Cathleen Black. Other A-listers included: Atoosa Rubenstein, Helen Gurley Brown, Austin Scarlett, and Audrey Smaltz. An inspiring group of individuals whose accomplishments left much to be aspired to….