'Outstanding Mother' Meredith Vieira Says: 'They Picked the Wrong Person'

By Samantha Neudorf May 11, 2015

Meredith Vieira was one of four NYC-area moms to receive the 2015 Outstanding Mother Award from the National Mother's Day Committee. Her reaction? "They picked the wrong person!"

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, The National Mother’s Day Committee awarded its 37th Annual Outstanding Mother Awards to Joanna Coles, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Liz Rodbell, and Meredith Vieira at The Pierre Hotel today, May 7.

According to the committee, these four women—all of whom are raising or did raise their children in the NYC area—have demonstrated the ability to balance being a mother with their demanding careers. Coles is the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, Hilfiger is the creative director of Dee Ocleppo, Rodbell is president of Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor, and Vieira is the host of The Meredith Vieira Show.

Vieira, a mother of three who lives in Westchester, said she felt a little nervous and overwhelmed to accept the award. “We’re all just trying to do the best we can as mothers,” Vieira said. “As a journalist, I run into the most remarkable mothers who have really had such an impact on their children’s lives, and I’m like, ‘Well, wait a minute, they picked the wrong person!’”

Coles, who raised her children in Manhattan, said she was deeply honored to receive the award. “I’m excited to represent working mothers because we sometimes get a hard time,” she said. “But most mothers need to work, and I love working and I love having kids.”

Mindy Grossman, CEO of the HSN Network and 2010 Outstanding Mother Award Honoree, was the mistress of ceremonies.

Proceeds from the awards luncheon will go towards Save the Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children in poverty.

The National Mother’s Day Committee is part of the Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council and strives to recognize women who have accomplished great successes in balancing their careers and motherhood.

Main photo: Left to right: Outstanding Mother Awards honorees Joanna Coles, Liz Rodbell, Meredith Vieira, and Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger
Photo by John Calabrese