A high-powered PR maven, a Pulitzer-Prize winning business reporter, and a 9/11 victims activist were only a few of the phenomenal women celebrated at the “Women Who Change The World” 2003 Matrix Awards Luncheon held by the New York Women in Communications.

Eight unique women were honored for remarkable achievements in communications: Daisy Exposito-Ulla, chairman of the Bravo Group; Jane Rosenthal, partner in Tribeca Entertainment; Carolyn Reidy, president of Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group; Kate White, editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan; Gretchen Morgenson, reporter and columnist for The New York Times; Maurie Perl, senior vice president of Condé Nast Publications; Shelia Nevins, executive vice president of HBO; and Christy Ferer, the Mayor’s liaison to 9/11 victims’ families.

Laughter bounced off the Waldorf’s ceilings as host Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live got the star-studded audience—including Peter Jennings, Libby Pataki, and Liz Smith—to a roaring pitch. Addressing the estrogen-powered crowd, Faye quipped, “I haven’t been with such a big group of women since I was in prison!” She even poked fun at presenter Mayor Mike, introducing him as “the only person here who can change a million-dollar bill!” (A blushing Bloomberg smiled wanly as he stepped up to the podium.) Other presenters included Wendy Wasserstein, Toni Morrison, and David Remnick.

Honoree Shelia Nevins, who was introduced by Mary Tyler Moore, was exceptionally articulate when she observed that men are almost never told they’re “lucky,” whereas successful women are. “We’re ballsy, hardworking, entitled, and we’re not necessarily lucky!” she stated with utmost conviction. Luck be a lady? Not!