Actress and author Brooke Shields, left, and mortgage industry pioneer Melissa L. Cohn are honored with Spirit of Life® Awards. The two accomplished women were feted at the East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League’s annual “Woman of the Year” luncheon, held May 8 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. More than 500 guests attended the event, where $300,000 was raised for City of Hope.

The East End Chapter is led by co-presidents Lisa Fuld, Ann Levine and Honey Cook. Their annual Spirit of Life luncheon and other events play a key role in raising funds for City of Hope and building the institution’s reputation in the New York area. The chapter has attracted other celebrities including Kelly Ripa, Fran Drescher and Meredith Vieira.