Cristie Kerr was on the red carpet in New York City last night, looking resplendent in red and black, hand-dyed satin. The venue was Manhattan's Waldorf Astoria and the event was The 30th Annual Salute To Women In Sports, a cocktail reception and awards presentation put on by the Women in Sports Foundation to honor the most accomplished women in sports.
Gathered in New York last night to celebrate athletic achievement were 58 champion female athletes and a constellation of celebrities from government, sports and media. An extraordinary variety of sports were represented. Figure skating's Michelle Kwan was there, so was skateboarding's Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins. There were softball and squash players, luge racers, runners and gymnasts. Stunning Laila Ali wore a regal purple gown.
In addition to Cristie golf was represented by 2009 Kraft Nabisco Champion Brittany Lincicome, wearing a frilly, flamenco-style frock, also black and red. The legendary Nancy Lopez was in attendance as was new Mom Annika Sorenstam whose foundation, it was announced will be presenting the Annika Award together with the Women's Sports Foundation, beginning next year. The Annika Award will be all about passing on the inspiration, as Annika credits much of the success in her career to her father’s inspirational words, "There are no shortcuts to success". Starting in 2010 it'll be presented yearly to a woman who has accomplished great things in her sport and inspired others to do the same.This years awards, presented last night, were Sportswoman of the Year, individual winner, which went to gymnast Courtney Kupets, Sportswoman of the Year, team winner, awarded to hockey player Jessie Vetter, and the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award won by Tiffara Steward, who at only 4'6" and partially blind plays basketball for Farmingdale State College on Long Island. Additionally, The Gatorade Company was given the Billie Jean King Contribution Award for their nearly four-decade-long dedication to the betterment of girls’ and women’s athletics.
It was in fact Billie Jean King who first proposed the Salute To Women In Sports Awards in 1974. You can read more about the awards and learn about Women in Sports Foundation and their awesome, empowering mission at their website.
And for those of you who want to get a glimpse of the red carpet fashions, there are photos of last night's event on Getty Images.
Photo: Cristie Kerr - Andrew Walker/Getty Images ✿ Michelle Kwan & Brittnay Lincicome - Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images ✿
Did someone's calculator break ? Started in 1974, this would be the 36th Annual.
ReplyDeleteKerr looks really sharp in those pictures.
It's fantastic to see celebrations life this - especially given the history of women being denied access to sports throughout history.
ReplyDeleteMy have times changed. And it's about damned time, too.
Finally, I agree with Court. Christie Kerr is an astonishingly beautiful woman.
Let's hope that the recent effort to shake up the LPGA brings real change. The tour and players deserve recognition, and more exposure.
ReplyDeleteIt really makes no sense that the senior eh "champions" tour has more exposure, and higher purses..and certainly...the LPGA should get more exposure than the "minor" league Nationwide Tour.
Honestly..I learn more watching the LPGA...and find it more entertaining...than the PGA Tour...can we see a decent TV contact next year??
Those are beautiful photos of Cristie Kerr. I wonder if she watches Mad Men because it seems like going for that retro look. Really nice. Love the Laila Ali dress too.
ReplyDeleteYou look at the photos and see female athletes from all kind go sports. You have to give them a lot of credit. They've got a lot of dedication! Congratulations and thank you to all of them.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see women athletes being honored!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Christie Kerr looks amazing. She is such an inspiration when it comes to healthy living and philanthropy.
Thanks for the post!