The 20th annual Ball for Life was a celebration of alternatives to abortion. Two of the well-known faces at the event, held Friday at the New York Athletic Club, were Lawrence Kudlow and Peggy Noonan. Mr. Kudlow served as an honorary chairman of the event, while Ms. Noonan was one of those honored.

“To see so many people here who believe in the culture and value of life, it warms my heart,” Mr. Kudlow, the economist and television host, said. “I’ve never seen so many beautiful people of faith in such a ‘blue state.'”

Two of the youngest guests were high school seniors, Alyssa Scotti and Carla DeMarzo, who were dressed in their prom best. They are already leaders in the movement in opposition to legalized abortion, having founded a chapter of the club the Befrienders at their Catholic high school in the Bronx, Cardinal Spellman High School. And they plan to continue their work in college: Ms. DeMarzo will attend Notre Dame, and Ms. Scotti is heading to Salve Regina.

“Anyone who’s in trouble can come to us,” Ms. DeMarzo said, explaining the workings of the club. The Reverend Peter Pilsner serves as their adviser.

“The right to life is important because it affects everyone on a social level,” Ms. Scotti said.

Other guests included Edward Cox, who may run against Senator Clinton in 2006, and an attorney, Leo Kayser III.

The Alex Donner Orchestra got everyone to their feet.

The Ball for Life gets bigger and more glamorous each year, thanks to a political consultant and fund-raiser, Alexandra Preate, who has served as ball co-chairwoman for five years. Her co-chairman this year was Paul Dillon.

“The fact that the crowd keeps growing is a testament to her,” Mr. Kudlow said.

Perhaps the most impassioned speech of the event came from Faith Whittlesey, who is chairwoman of the human rights organization Christian Freedom International and served as ambassador to Switzerland during the Reagan presidency.

“I am an ambassador for life,” Ms. Whittlesey said. Ms. Whittlesey used her speech to point out “the inconsistency of logic in those who identify as fiscal conservatives and social liberals,” she said.

“Sustained economic growth requires stability, and traditional families are the best guarantors of a stable society,” Ms. Whittlesey said.

This year’s Ball for Life supported Good Counsel Homes, which offers shelter and counseling to single pregnant women and their children. More than 600 babies have been born in Good Counsel homes in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut since the organization was founded in 1985. Last year, the Good Counsel national help line received more than 3,700 calls.