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Julie Miller: Gala with parents' idols closes generation gap

I shook David Bowie's hand. I can't think of a more perfect, summed-up first sentence than that one, so I'll just start there.

It all began last week when my wonderful co-worker Marissa invited me to be her plus-one for a gala thrown by The Center for the Advancement of Women in New York City (specifically, at the world-famous Waldorf Astoria hotel's grand ballroom).

The word "gala" brought all these fancy images in my head (specifically, the kind of event that occurs in those 18th-century films and in Disney films like Cinderella). So, you can about imagine my excitement getting pumped up for it, and of course picking out my dress (a black and white strapless from a Shreveport boutique that I lugged all the way here)!

When we arrived at the black-tie affair, we were greeted with champagne and celebrity sightings. The second we walked in, we spotted the one and only Jane Fonda to my right. I recognized her right away from her trademark glasses and glowing persona. Later on in the evening she would be receiving an award and giving the most moving speech, but right then, she was standing five inches away from me.

Seconds later, I noticed a woman who looked pretty prominent, but I couldn't necessarily tell who she was. She was wearing a mesh top with black bracelets and the first thing I said to myself was how trendy this older woman was. Then someone whispered in my ear, "That's Gloria Steinem." My body went numb as I was standing in front of a living legend, founder of feminist magazine Ms. Magazine. I did a fourth grade social studies fair project on this very woman who was right in front of me. Surreal indeed.

The room came to a complete stop when Iman, world-famous supermodel, and her husband, David Bowie, walked in the reception hall. She is everything that beauty is. And he is a rock star himself. My friend Marissa was almost going into convulsions knowing that she was so close to him, as she is a huge fan because she and her dad went to his concert a few years ago together.

It was definitely cool to see all of these great icons of our parents' generation. Maybe they're a little bit jealous that we got to meet their idols, but one day our kids will meet Oprah Winfrey and Angelina Jolie and think that's pretty cool, too.

The rest of the evening we watched Iman and Jane accept their awards and left with a full and happy stomach. But before we were outside the door, we had one last stop to make.

Marissa and I went up to the celebs at the front table and introduced ourselves. The cutest words ever came out of Marissa's mouth after she shook David's hand: "I know a lot of people say this, but it's true this time. I will never wash this hand again."

Julie Miller, a graduate of Caddo Magnet High School and Louisiana Tech University, is a Times columnist. She may be reached by sending a fax to (318) 459-3301 or e-mail to juliemiller@gannett.com.



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