New York, October 14, 2006 – Teri Hatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev are on a stage together… No, this wasn’t a bizarre dream; it was the 2006 Women’s World Awards in New York City, and the Desperate Housewife and former Soviet President co-hosted.

We weren’t quite sure what to expect at this ceremony, where women from around the world are recognized for their achievements. This year, those women included scientists, activists and a NASA administrator, plus boldfaced names like Susan Sarandon, Lucy Liu, Claudia Schiffer, Whoopi Goldberg and Billie Jean King.

Mary J. Blige, who both received an award and performed for the crowd, couldn’t get over the fact that President Gorbachev had even heard of her! (We told her that everybody knows who she is.)

We were excited to see Gloria Estefan, although she didn’t perform – she was just one of the distinguished guests. But Mary J. didn’t carry the only tune – Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder also entertained, as did the group Il Divo, who were leaving for Montreal the next day to continue their tour with Barbra Streisand. Yes, we asked, and they only had praise for the diva, but did add, “She’s very demanding.”