The 2022 Justice RBG Woman of Leadership Award Ceremony & Gala

March 16, 2022

The 2022 Justice RBG Woman of Leadership Award Ceremony & Gala

Fashion industry icon, author, and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg is this year's recipient of the prestigious Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award.

Last weekend, I traveled to our nation’s capital to attend the exclusive third annual award ceremony and gala at the Library of Congress. The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation created the leadership award in 2020 in honor of Justice Ginsberg’s exemplary career and life. It was designed to 'acknowledge and celebrate exceptional women who have devoted themselves to the betterment of society, regardless of background, place and purpose.' It was a very special evening.

Enjoy these photos and see the images I posted on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48.

: This is the United States Library of Congress. The library’s primary mission is to research inquiries made by members of Congress, which is carried out through the Congressional Research Service. It also houses and oversees the United States Copyright Office and is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country.

: I arrived right on time. It was a lovely evening. Behind me is the United States Capitol, also known as the Capitol Building, home of the United States Congress and the seat of the legislative branch of the US federal government. The Capitol is just across the street from the Library of Congress.

: My friend Ari Katz attended the event with me. Here we are in front of the Library.

: Many of the Library of Congress’ sculptures wore decorative masks made using Diane von Furstenberg fabrics with lace in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg who was well known for wearing high lace collars.

: The ceiling of the Library’s Great Hall at the front of the building is inlaid with six decorative stained-glass skylights and aluminum plating. Along the perimeter of the ceiling are the names of 10 authors, considered to have made great contributions to literature. They are Dante, Homer, Milton, Bacon, Aristotle, Goethe, Shakespeare, Moliere, Moses, and Herodotus.

: The Library of Congress’s copy of the Gutenberg Bible was on display for all of the guests to see. The Gutenberg Bible is the first great book printed in Western Europe from movable metal type.

: Ari and I took this photo at the entrance to the Library’s Main Reading Room on the ground floor of the Jefferson Building.

: Above is a 160-foot-high, elaborately painted copper dome.

: In all, there are 16 Reading Rooms at the Library of Congress, all with meticulously maintained desks where one can research, read, work, and in these modern times, sit and check emails.

: Here I am with Nancy Pelosi and Diane von Furstenberg. (Photo by Tony Powell)

: Photos were taken soon after all the guests arrived. I was in very good company. Some of those in attendance included Jennifer Flavin Stallone, Brendan Sullivan Jr., Ghada Irani, Julie Opperman, David Rubenstein, Teresa Carlson, Lynda Carter Altman, Howard Lorber, Diane von Furstenberg, Sylvester Stallone, Adrienne Arsht, and Carla Hayden.

: Here is another photo where I join David Rubenstein, Howard Lorber, Brendan Sullivan Jr., Jennifer Flavin Stallone, Teresa Carlson, Adrienne Arsht, Diane von Furstenberg, Julie Opperman, and Ghada Irani.