The excitement was palpable, as soon as you entered the College of Notre Dame's Doyle Hall. More than 100 women attended a VIP reception before the evening's big event, a discussion of the book "Womenomics: Write Your Own Rules for Success." It wasn't just that guests had the opportunity to meet the book's authors, Claire Shipman of ABC News' "Good Morning America" and Katty Kay of BBC World News America. The topic - how women can use their power to create work lives they really want - seemed to strike a chord.

"We're very excited about this issue because we're educating our students about the choices they can make about balancing their lives," said Mary Pat Seurkamp, College of Notre Dame president.

"I hosted a national webcast for the United Way with [Shipman and Kay]. It was so fabulous, so compelling that I invited them to come here," said P.J. Mitchell, College of Notre Dame board chairwoman.

"I think they've got a new slant on women and the working environment," observed Cynthia Egan, president of T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services.

"What is better than talking about women and economics? I'm a really big believer in women power," said Renee Ades, member of Adelberg, Rudow, Dorf & Hendler, explaining why she had brought along her daughter-in-law, Lauren Ades, Hodes, Pessin & Katz associate.

Meanwhile, the evening's enthusiasm wasn't limited to the guests.

"I don't know what it is about Baltimore women, but there are some really strong, interesting women here. I'm impressed," said Shipman.

"They have food! Do you know how many receptions don't have food?" said Kay, promptly lining up at the carving station for tenderloin and mashed potatoes.

Sloane Brown can be contacted at sloane@sloanebrown.com.