Women Blog

New York International Automobile Show director Candida Romanelli was named ‘Woman of the Year’ last night at the seventh annual Top Women in Business Networking Awards Dinner in New York City.

An eighteen-year veteran of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA), Candida Romanelli is the director of North America’s oldest and largest attended automotive exhibition, the New York International Auto Show. Under her direction the Show has grown substantially and is listed as one of the premiere events on the automotive calendar.

The Woman of the Year Award recognizes New York Metro area women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within their business and local communities.

“I’m thrilled to receive this award. The Auto Show is a 109-year old New York institution that has given so much pleasure to millions of people and it’s been a great honor to be its custodian over the past 18 years,” said Romanelli.

Romanelli — the only woman in the country running a major auto show — is responsible for the overall planning and day-to-day operation and production of the exhibition, which attracts more than 1.2 million visitors annually. She is past president of the N.Y. Tri-State Chapter of the Womens’ Automotive Association International, a member of the International Motor Press Association, the International Association for Exhibition Managers, the American Society for Association Executives, and the National Association for Consumer Shows.

Source: New York International Auto Show

The author of Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone to sign books at Barnes & Noble in Tribeca on June 8th

Vera Ramone King, wife of the late Dee Dee Ramone, tells all in Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone (Phoenix Books, ISBN 9781597776127, June, 2009). Here is the intimate and shocking story behind the Ramones, widely considered to be one of the greatest rock groups ever. As part of her New York media tour, Vera Ramone King will be signing books on June 8th at the Barnes & Noble store in Tribeca.

“The Ramones were inspired by legendary bands like the New York Dolls and Iggy Pop and the Stooges,” notes Vera Ramone King, “and they dove head-first into the raw and crazy world of music in the 70’s.” With that choice came drugs, adulation and the pressures of stardom, all of which quickly drove Dee Dee Ramone to the edge. And yet Dee Dee was also a brilliant music pioneer who lived and breathed his art and found his greatest joy playing live for ecstatic fans.

“This booksigning provides an exciting opportunity to re-connect with original Ramones fans and to meet new ones,” notes the Poisoned Heart author. A 70’s punk rock princess who ruled New York’s decadent music scene, Vera Ramone King takes readers on a wild ride that details punk’s rise, fall and ultimate resurrection.

In Poisoned Heart, Vera Ramone King reveals for the first time

• The drama and fear surrounding Dee Dee’s first heroin overdose during the filming of Rock n’ Roll High School.

• The chaotic story behind the End of the Century recording sessions produced by the notorious Phil Spector

• The tumultuous relationships and alliances that led to the band’s breakup

For true fans of the 70’s, and for those just rediscovering their music today, there will never be another band like the Ramones. Featuring dozens of never-before-seen pictures and stories never told before now, Vera Ramone King’s Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone is a must-read for music fans everywhere.

Source: Phoenix Books

Fran Drescher, an award-winning actress, author and comedienne who is now the U.S. State Department Special Envoy for Women’s Health, will describe her amazement at her new job at a National Press Club luncheon on April 14.

Drescher was instrumental in winning passage of the first Gynecological Cancer Education and Awareness Act. She now helps spend its money by trying to ensure that all women worldwide with cancer are diagnosed at Stage One, when it is most curable. Her publicist says she’ll succeed because she is “a Russell” - with Rosalind’s comic timing, Jane’s curves and Jack’s tenacity.

An eight-year uterine cancer survivor, Drescher authored Enter Whining and Cancer Schmancer, both New York Times best-sellers. She has received two Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of “Miss Fine” on the CBS TV series “The Nanny,” a show she also created, wrote, directed and executive-produced. She appeared in the HBO hit series “Entourage” and starred in the WB series “Living with Fran.”

As a stage actress, Drescher performed in Neil La Bute’s “Some Girls,” directed by Jo Bonney; “The Exonerated,” directed by Bob Balaban; and most recently in the New York Philharmonic’s “Camelot” at Lincoln Center. She says her proudest film roles, among dozens, are a memorable five-minute appearance in “This Is Spinal Tap” and stardom in “Beautician and the Beast,” with Timothy Dalton.

The National Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. and Drescher’s remarks will begin just after 1:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. Advance reservations should be made by contacting reservations at the National Press Club, (202) 662-7501 or reservations@press.org. Cost of luncheon admission is $17 for National Press Club members, $28 for their guests and $35 for general admission. Credentialed press may cover this event with proper ID.

The National Press Club is located at 14th and F Streets, NW, one block west of Metro Center. For more information about the Club and its programs is go to press.org.

Source: National Press Club