There is still no date on the New York calendar quite like it. Known in local parlance simply as the “Hat Lunch,” the 44th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon turned the Conservatory Garden into a sea of silk and straw on Wednesday, May 6th. Hosted by the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy, the event reached a historic milestone this year, raising a record-breaking $5.4 million to maintain the 843 acres that serve as the city’s beating heart.
The weather was a grey, drizzly Spring damp, with temperatures lingering in the chilly 50s, but the elements were no deterrent. If anything, the mist made the new Spring greens of the park more luminescent — a scientific phenomenon that lent a sensational, gentle light to the festivities. Inside the massive-tented garden, the energy was high, proving that this remains the hottest ticket of the season.
Central Park Conservancy President & CEO Betsy Smith and staff members of the Central Park Conservancy.
“Does anyone still wear a hat? …” begs the question made famous by Elaine Stritch with her rendition of Stephen Sondheim’s song “The Ladies Who Lunch.” They still do at the Hat Lunch. Somehow wearing a hat to this event became a tradition, and now it serves as a brilliant hook for a very serious cause.
I’m not a statistician, but it seemed “hattier” this year than ever before. A lot of them were very stylish, some very funny, others amusing, and some occasionally a question mark. I liked all of it. You could even see the influence of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, in the crowd. A couple of young women sincerely had that look down; maybe she’s going to be the one to finally bring the hat back.
L. to r.: Rudrabhisek Sahay; McGee Hickey and Rena Turner.
This luncheon is very prestigious in the New York scheme of things, but it represents something much deeper. The Women’s Committee was started more than four decades ago by a small group of concerned women who wanted to do something about the sorry state of Central Park. It’s hard to believe today that it was ever in a “sorry state” because it’s so beautifully kept, but by the mid- to late ’70s, a lot of it was derelict and broken down. JH grew up on the Park and recalls a time when it was actually dangerous for kids to play in there.
These enterprising women were an example of what real Power is in a community. They were already well-connected and prominent, but it was their heart that made the objective a success. They used their assets to raise tens of millions over the years, all of it going to “The Good Work.” Today, the Park is stunning and pastoral — a jewel in the great big gritty, towering city.
This year, the Committee, led by President Tracey Huff, joined Luncheon Co-Chairs Kate Davis, Darice Fadeyi, Stephanie Hessler, and Erin Isikoff Klatskin to welcome 1,300 guests and honor longtime Trustees Judy Hart Angelo and Janet Ross.
Luncheon Co-Chairs Tracey Huff, Darice Fadeyi, Kate Davis, Erin Klatskin, and Stephanie Hessler.
The sold-out luncheon was generously supported by Presenting Sponsor Harry Winston, Inc., Corporate Sponsor JPMorganChase, and Premier Sponsor Tuckernuck.
The guest list included Michael Bloomberg, Martha Stewart, Maury Povich and Connie Chung, Stacey Bendet, Jody Arnhold, Katherine Gage Boulud, Kathryn Chenault, Rebecca Hessel Cohen, Nell Diamond, Jocelyn Gailliot, Ainsley Earhardt, Fe Fendi, Gillian Hearst, Marcella Hymowitz, Sharon Jacob, Dustee Jenkins, Elizabeth Kurpis, Amy Miller Madry, Susan Magrino, Margo M. Nederlander, Amelia Ogunlesi, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Jenny Paulson, Liz Peek, Yesim Philip, Lilah Ramzi, Fiona Rudin, Barbara H. Scott, Christine Schwarzman, Jenna Segal, Ramona Singer, Jamie Singer Soros, Gillian Steel, Anne Stringfield, Tanya Rivero Warren, Suzy Welch, Sarah Wetenhall, and Lauren Wesley Wilson.
NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, Chairman’s Circle chair Tom Kempner, Central Park Conservancy President & CEO Betsy Smith, honorees Janet Ross and Judy Hart Angelo, and Tracey Huff.
The mood under the vast white tent was festive in the real sense. Behind the Vanderbilt Gates at 104th Street, the trees were in full fresh bloom in that shiny lime green shade, and so were the tulips in masses.
Between sips of Château d’Esclans rosé and Terrazas de los Andes Chardonnay, guests enjoyed the Conservatory Garden, which was recently restored in 2025. The tables were set with vibrant Scalamandré florals, and those signature Wathne, Inc. umbrellas were at the ready. The staff, outfitted by Tuckernuck in Patricia Underwood hats, served a seasonal menu by Great Performances with flowers by Andrew Pascoe Flowers. It was a day that proved when people set their minds and hearts to it, they can truly transform the metropolitan countryside.
But as with all great New York traditions, the party didn’t end when the umbrellas were folded. The good cheer and celebratory mood continued well into the afternoon at various after-parties scattered across the city, from the hushed elegance of Maxim’s to the lively scenes at Casa Tua.
Michael Bloomberg, Betsy Smith, Tom Kempner, and Judy Hart Angelo.L. to r.: Ainsley Earhardt, Susan Magrino, and Dustee Jenkins; Fiona Rudin and Jamie Singer Soros.Ann Croll, Gillian Steel, Patti Fast, Liz Peek, and Anne Harrison.Carmen Gay, Melissa Murray Hill, and Katrina Robinson.Judy Hart Angelo, Betsy Smith, and Janet Ross.Elizabeth Darst, Virginia Harper Breen, Dustee Jenkins, Whitney Mogavero, and Ainsley Earhardt.Gillian Miniter, Katherine Birch, Margo Nederlander, and Michele Brazil.Jack Angelo, Judy Hart Angelo, Jesse Angelo, and Kate Angelo.Gul Coskin, Dorothy Liu, Joyce Kwok, Parisa Sahay, and Soohee Jeong.Kathleen Tait, Jennifer Evans, and Margo Ressa.Kimberly Shariff and Darice Fadeyi.Madeline Grayson, Jocelyn Gailliot, and September Votta.L. to r.: Elizabeth Barlow Rogers; Bebe Clement, Caroline Turnipseed, and Christy Doramus.Samantha Lynch, Kay Nordeman, Melanie McLennan, and Halsey Schroeder.Nyssa Kourakos, Linda MacKinnon, Amy Tarr, Sarah Kurita, and Lucinda Bhavsar.L. to r.: Nell Diamond, Rachel Blumenthal, and Nelle Miller; Lauren Wesley Wilson and Megan Stackhouse.Sara Jacobs, Adrienne Israel, Jessica Sherman, and Megan Asmar.Shelley Carr and friends.L. to r.: Dotty Giordano, Priya Shukla, and Virginia Tomenson; Sharon Jacob and Nicole Salmasi.Tara Krolick, Blair Husain, Hana Bitton, Kate Davis, Mariam Korangy, and Betsy Cohen.L. to r.: Marcella Hymowitz; Joyce Kwok and Adrienne Israel.Deirdre Stanley, Damaris Hernandez, Roberto Concepcion, Melissa Murray Hill, and Maria Perez Brown.L. to r.: Grace Price and Jenny Price; Jenna Segal.Carissa Katz, Karrie Webb, and Ellen Nilven.Eugenia Richman, Tracy Yorks Demarchelier, Krista Corl, Dalia Oberlander, Gillian Hearst, Dee Dee Sides, Laura Kornhauser, and Janelle Currin.L. to r.: Georgia, Sharon, and Stella Jacob; Gillian Hearst and Dee Dee Sides.Lulu Sezercan Dalkanat, Preeti Salvi, Sugie Hong Bruttomesso, Ramona Singer, and Notoya Green.Dalia Oberlander, Eugenia Richman, Paula Froelich, Scott Buccheit, Dee Dee Sides, Gillian Hearst, Krista Corl, Laura Kornhauser, Janelle Currin, Naeem Delbridge, and Tracy Yorks Demarchelier.Cami Raucci, Simone Goer, Lindsay Stransky, Amanda Baron, and Lauren Kim.Alexa Wolman, Jana Neff, Suzy Buckley Woodward, and Carol Iacovelli.Sherry Lee, Stephanie Stamas, Whitney Rouse Teach, and Astrid Hill Lloyd.Eugenia Richman, Stephanie Stamas, and Tracy Yorks Demarchelier.L. to r.: Stacy Bendet; Alessia, Fe, and Paola Fendi.Andrea Achi and Jill Smith Handy.Amy Miller Madry, Darice Fadeyi, Kate Davis, Stephanie Hessler, Erin L. Klatskin, and Marisa Neira Barone.Elizabeth Kurpis, Carson Griffith, Lizzi Bickford Meadow, and Allie Provost.Carolyn Tate Angel, Eliza Stein, Marcella Hymowitz, Lesley Vecsler, Priya Shukla, and Virginia Tomenson.Sherry Lee, Lizzy Quick, Stephanie Stamas, Whitney Mogavero, Astrid Hill Lloyd, and Whitney Rouse Teach.Betsy Smith, Madeline Grayson, September Rinnier Votta, and Jocelyn Gailliot.Tracey Huff, Amy Tarr, Maggan Daileader, Rachel Kane, and Angela Gresham.Victoria Ershove, Wendy Stapleton, Elisabeth Munder, and Lacey Deloria.Amy Miller Madry, Tracey Huff, and Marisa Neira Barone.Heather McAuliffe, Emma Frelinghuysen, Kathy Thomas, Chiara Edmands, Kat Dines, Katherine Birch, Christina Sethi, and Hasty Torres.Stephanie Stamas, Whitney Mogavero, Dustee Jenkins, Lizzy Quick, Ainsley Earhardt, Melanie McLennan, Elizabeth Kurpis, and Elisabeth Munder.Lauren Huff, Isabella Rice, Tracey Huff, K Callan, and Judy Choix.Karen Gray-Krehbiel and John Krehbiel.L. to r.: Melanie Seymour; Muffie Potter Aston, Gillian Miniter, and Emily Chen.Ellen Nilven, Karrie Webb, and Carissa Katz.Francine Crocker, Kathy Reilly, and Nancy Dichiora.L. to r.: Eleanora Kennedy and Sheila Labrecque; Barbara Scott and Michele Brazil.Ila Paliwal, Shriya Paliwal, Alice Sareen, Julie Macklowe, Preethi Krishna, and Natasha Das.Claire Lea-Howarth, Kate Angelo, Maury Povich, Judy Hart Angelo, Bob Harper, Jack Angelo, Stacey Bendet, and Benjamin Doller.Anna Bender-Zeckendorf, Marcia Dunn, Marcie Pantzer, Diane Tuft, Erin L. Klatskin, and Suri Kasirer.Tracey Frost Rensky, Georgia Jacob, Leslie Brille, and Yesim Philip.L. to r.: Katherine Gage Boulud and Sarah Wetenhall; Stephanie Stamas, Sherry Lee, and Katherine Birch.Virginia Harper Breen, Brooke Sinclair, Kay Nordeman, Samantha Lynch, Whitney Schwartz, Melanie McLennan, Nathalie Pierrepont Danilovich, Dustee Jenkins, Halsey Schroeder, and Marina Rutherford.Jeannine Lostritto, Eliakim Malundo, Debbie Schaeffer, Amy Miller Madry, Ashley Mims, Tomi Argebesola, and Sarvin Tarifi.Brooke Parker, Milena Ledven, Raquel Trout, Jaclyn Rottenstreich, and Emma O’Rourke.Roseline Neveling, Kara Gerson, Nicole Buck, Tara Sullivan, Paige Betz, and Lauren Wesley Wilson.Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, Marie-Noelle Pierce, Katherine Birch, Katherine Gage Boulud, Kathleen Barnea Spink, Devorah Rose, Hasty Torres, and Tatiana Perkin.L. to r.: Roseline Neveling and Babi Ahluwalia; Lilah Ramzi and Elizabeth Kurpis.Simone Goer, Lindsay Grant, Cami Raucci, Lauren Kim, and Eugenia Richman.Tamara Frankfort, Bobbie Frankfort, Alana Frankfort, Melissa Frankfort, and Haley Binn.Samantha Lasry, Robin Bell Stevens, and Betsy Messerschmitt.Susan Bram, Kathryn Chenault, Vicky Assevero, Dr. Amelia Ogunlesi, Karen Phillips, Andrea Frazier, and Carol Sutton Lewis.Lauren Wesley Wilson, Tiffany Burkett, Andrea DuBois, Jade Magnus Ogunnaike, Kristina Hunt, Lola Ladeinde Temple, Andrea Achi, and Jill Smith Handy.L. to r.: Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos and Yesim Philip; Jenny Paulson.Susan Magrino and Martha Stewart.
The Central Park Conservancy remainsthe private, nonprofit engine responsible for the Park’s annual operating budget and the daily stewardship provided by its staff of 400. Central to that mission is the Women’s Committee; since 1983, this community of 1,000 members has raised over $245 million, allowing for the continued restoration of this shared civic treasure.
