Fred Hochberg's Annual Valentine's Day Lunch: New York's Most Prominent Women Celebrate In Style

Fred Hochberg puts most men to shame.

Not only is he a successful businessman, a champion of civil rights, and, most recently, the Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank, but every Valentine's Day he has nearly all of New York's most accomplished women on his arm.

This past Friday was no different.

Such luminary guests as Agnes Gund, Silda Wall Spitzer, Patricia Duff, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Roz Chast, Michele Oka Doner and Lillian Vernon (Hochberg's mother), attended Hochberg's annual Valentine's Day luncheon at Jean Georges.

"It reminds me that I am one of the most fortunate men alive, to have so many women as friends and to bring them together for two hours once a year," said Hochberg.

No men are allowed at the event, not even Hochberg's longtime partner, poet and art world player Tom Healy.

And this year each guest left with a little gift: 24 business-sized cards that read "Stop Talking," to be used when needed.

"I hope 24 is enough," quipped Hochberg.