I made it to four Inaugural Balls in Washington last week. The first and the largest was the Latino Ball on Sunday night at Union Station, where J Lo introduced Marc Anthony to an adoring crowd of thousands and everyone danced in their fabulous glittery gowns. I met a man who recovered sunken treasure from the ocean floor and bravely traveled all parts of the world with his kids.

An army of cameras greeted J-Lo when she came on stage in her dramatic updo. I took pictures of her on the Jumbotron since I couldn't get close to the stage without endangering myself. Daughter Julia was excited that I could send her a Jumbotron photo.

Then it was on to the Foreign Diplomat’s Ball, where I met Victoria Rowell, actress, author and fierce advocate for foster children. Her book, The Women Who Raised Me, is a great antidote to the poor image we often get of foster parents. At every point in her life, her foster mothers shaped her, educated her and let her grow into the woman, and mother, she is today.

On stage, a young artist had a gorgeous voice, silky style and bare feet! I also met, Bobbie Duckett, her record producer who is good friends with my famous neighbor, Vanessa Williams. This ball was in the James Monroe house, and a more gorgeous setting would be hard to find. All the colonial beauty dressed up in very hip party design: it was beautiful.

At “Hollywood on the Potomac,” Joe Coleman of the Platters rocked in the City Tavern in Georgetown to honor Congresswoman Diane Watson (pictured below), the accomplished representative from LA.  Upstairs, tables of people made predictions and connections. I met so many Californians! Angela Bassett spoke to the crowd, and Robin Reed who heads the INWA looked amazing in her silver suit. We danced sang and talked into the night.

Finally, the indomitable Dr. Dorothy Height hosted a Ball for the National Council of Negro Women on Inauguration night. This fiercely passionate civil rights leader, the only women at the table in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s days, told us that at 97 she had lived to see the shift from the cruelty of Jim Crow to the joy of President Barack Obama.

A reunion band made up of singers from the Temptations, The Coasters, the Drifters and the Platters played a great concert. Alexis Herman, Dr. Vanessa Weaver, Ted Childs and many others were there to celebrate the new President.

After the Latino Ball one of the partygoers who had a car saw me hopelessly wandering the streets looking for a cab. She knew me from our conferences and generously offered me a ride back to my hotel. I was so grateful—but I can't remember who it was! Please let me know of you gave me a ride. I want to say thanks!