Showing She’s a First Lady in the Public Service Arena

“She demonstrates that true public service is more than lip service,” said Tom Hanks in Lincolnesque tones as he introduced Hillary Rodham Clinton to a capacity crowd in the Regent Beverly Wilshire ballroom on Tuesday. “She is a genuine woman of courage.”

The black-tie dinner, sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue, raised $1.6 million for Cedars Sinai Women’s Cancer Research.

Clinton looked lovely behind the lectern--not everyone can wear tiers of pleats--as she accepted a Women of Courage Award from honorary chairmen Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Co-chairs included Anne Douglas, Rita Wilson, Kate Capshaw, Marion Laurie, Sandra Krause, Renette Ezralow, Margie Petersen, Kelly Chapman Meyer and Jamie Tisch. The late Liz Tilberis, editor of Harper’s Bazaar, was honored with the Nat King Cole Award, presented by Natalie Cole.

“Liz was a star in the publishing world,” said Cole. “While facing her own ovarian cancer, she changed the lives of countless women by promoting cancer awareness and early detection.”

Acknowledging Clinton’s bid for the U.S. Senate, irrepressible emcee Robin Williams, asked, “Is it true that your name will just be ‘Hillary’ on the ballot?” “Or ‘the artist formerly known as First Lady?’ ”

A gospel choir from L.A.’s First AME Church had the crowd clapping with “There’s A Great Day Comin’.” Elton John sang “Candle in the Wind,” which inspired the audience to wave votive candles in rhythm.

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Irish statesman, author and critic Conor Cruise O’Brien launched Occidental College’s new speakers forum on Tuesday at a luncheon held (appropriately) in the Emerald Room of the Biltmore Hotel. The event was among the first official duties for Ted Mitchell, who will be inaugurated Monday as the school’s 12th president. A day earlier, O’Brien received an honorary doctorate in ceremonies on the Oxy campus. Described as the “greatest living Irishman” by London’s Evening Standard, O’Brien invoked Irish poet W.B. Yeats to define his amazing career: “It’s the cursed versatility of the Celtic!”

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The Rev. Val Peter, director of Nebraska’s famous Boys Town, which has recently opened a home for children in Los Angeles, was chatting with expectant mother Jamie Tisch at a reception in Peter’s honor last week at the Peninsula Hotel.

What does a professional bachelor know about birthing babies?

“Quite a lot,” said the Catholic priest. “I’ve attended about a dozen deliveries over the years. They’ve asked me to be there because they had no one and they didn’t want to be alone. Boys Town isn’t just for boys, you know.”

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The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising introduced 16 of its supernovas at its annual scholarship fund-raiser March 24 at the Beverly Hilton. The Carnivale-themed show included everything from togs for tots to mafioso-style menswear and even lavish opera costumes. The showstopper at this bash, however, was the giant butterfly--a towering hunk in a sapphire-sequined bikini and matching platform boots, fluttering humongous wings on the runway.

Guests included Frankie Avalon, James Darren, the still-gorgeous Maureen O’Hara, who turns 80 this year; Hollywood’s honorary mayor Johnny Grant, who emceed; couturier Michael Novarese and local pols Joel Wachs and U.S. Rep. Howard McKeon (R-Santa Clarita). Looking on with pride were Jim Watterson, who emerged from retirement yet again to produce the show, and institute founder and chief executive Tonian Hohberg, who will be honored Wednesday as Woman of the Year by the Muses of the California Science Center.