Women of Hollywood Share Their Influences

It was a big night for women as everyone from Jessica Simpson to Brooke Shields gathered to celebrate Good Housekeeping magazine's 125th anniversary and to salute influential American women of the past 125 years. ET was there as these powerful women revealed who influences them.

Held at the New York City Center, Shields hosted the Broadway show Shine On that featured performances by Aretha Franklin and Meryl Streep. "I hear Meryl Streep is here so I might have a panic attack," an enthusiastic Simpson tells ET.

Streep excited many celebrities at the event and was cited several times as a woman of influence. "Mercy" actress Michelle Trachtenberg says of Streep, "Without gushing, she's an extraordinary actress and it's always an honor to be considered amongst her in women in film."