Beyonce and Lady Gaga were honored today (Oct. 2) with the Woman of the Year and Rising Star awards, respectively, during Billboard's annual Women In Music luncheon held at New York's Pierre Hotel.

Lady Gaga, sporting a see-through dress decorated with feathers and human hair, arrived first. "Twelve months ago I never would have imagined being here and receiving this award," Gaga told Billboard.com.

Inside, Billboard's Publisher, Howard Appelbaum, gave the welcoming remarks before introducing Bill Werde, Billboard's Editorial Director. He introduced Billboard's Women In Music Power Player List, which includes Universal Motown Records President Sylvia Rhone, MTV Chairman/CEO Judy McGrath and William Morris' Cara Lewis, noting that the 2009 group "was the most diverse yet."

Werde then introduced Lady Gaga, noting that "She's procovative, fearless and most importantly, a prodigious songwriter." After a short speech highlighting all of her achievements in the past year, followed by a video reel, Gaga accepted the award herself. "I didn't expect to be accepted into pop community like I have," Gaga said, holding back tears. "With help from radio program directors, the gay community, fans and people like Billboard we had a remarkable year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Gaga was then interviewed by NBC's "Today" co-host Hoda Kotb, during which she addressed the cancellation of her upcoming "Fame Kills" tour with Kanye West. "Everyone makes mistakes," she said of West's now legendary MTV VMA's outburst. "It's unfortunate, but he's a good person. And I think its important to stand by friends."

Werde then introduced Billboard's 2009 Woman of the Year recipient. "It is theoretically possible someone on some other planet had a better year than Beyonce," he quipped. "But I'm not buying it."

"It's obvious how classy she is," Werde said as he introduced Beyonce, who was accompanied by her mother and father, Matthew and Tina Knoweles, and Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child. Beyonce accepted the award, remarking "I am the luckiest woman in the world."

Beyonce then took the hot seat alongside radio personality and Oprah's best friend, Gayle King, for a Q&A during which she was probed about her relationship with husband Jay-Z, her position as a role model for young women, and her goals for the future. "I really want to win an Oscar," she revealed.

The event closed with heart-rending renditions of Beyonce's hits "Halo" and "Single Ladies," performed by Staten Island grade schoolers, the P.S. 22 Chorus.