Outstanding mothers take a bow in New York City

Five hundred people turned out Thursday to celebrate the 36th annual Outstanding Mother Awards at The Pierre in New York City. The National Mother’s Day Committee singled out four women who have balanced building high-powered careers and motherhood: Jill Granoff, Norah O’Donnell, Mary Dillon and Brooke Shields (from left to right in photo). Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN and a 2010 Outstanding Mother Honoree, helped emcee the event for the fourth time, and proceeds from the luncheon and live auction went to Save the Children’s U.S. programs.

Dillon, CEO of Ulta Beauty, acknowledged that the lack of flexibility that still exists in most workplaces today creates real obstacles for many working mothers. “As a business leader, I’ve taken very seriously my responsibility to advance workplace policies and culture changes to make improvements where I can,” she said.

“The best advice I was given, and which I practice, is to book time on your calendar for family activities in the same way you would book a meeting,” said Granoff, CEO of Vince, who added that sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything. “I try to focus my time to the things that matter most and let go of the small stuff. Quality is more important than quantity.” Actress and New York Times bestselling author Shields agreed. “The advice I give to working moms is to not expect to feel like you have it all figured out—and not to beat yourself up about it,” she said.

O’Donnell, mother of three and co-host of CBS This Morning, said she is raising her kids to be confident and goal-oriented and to learn that hard work, practice and determination pay off. But, she was quick to note, “I remind them that success isn’t always measured in wins and losses; it’s just as much about teamwork, compromise and striving together to achieve a common goal.”

After the event, we chatted with Laurie Dowley, chairperson of the National Mother’s Day Committee, about what makes these moms shine and why Save the Children is such an important cause.

—Lyndsay McGregor

Q: What makes these four exceptional ladies “outstanding mothers”?
A: Each of these brilliant and beautiful women was selected for her ability to balance highly successful careers with the daily demands and rewards of motherhood. They are role models who nurture and inspire not only their own children, but also other women who strive, everyday, to give their absolute best to both their families and their work.

Q: You continue to partner with Save the Children. Why is this wonderful charity so dear to the organization’s heart?
A: Save the Children is a natural partner because its whole reason for being is to support children—a mom’s most precious treasure. On a recent trip to South Carolina, I had the opportunity to participate with Save the Children teams and witness the impact of their efforts first-hand. It was a profound experience and further solidified our support for what they do. Save the Children goes into the homes and schools of our most needy children and families, providing education, care, books and resources to improve health and literacy, and help break the cycle of poverty. Their work is truly incredible and we are proud to share our support.