J. Lo attends DNC reception for Edelman

DENVER, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Jennifer Lopez was among the hosts of an event honoring children's rights advocate Marian Wright Edelman in Denver this week, organizers said.

The singer and actress, along with Capitol File Magazine and Viacom, honored Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund, at a private reception at the Democratic National Convention, Capitol File said in a press release.

The event's featured speaker was U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo.

"Judging from her long and successful record, Jennifer Lopez is truly a hero to all of us. She is truly the American dream," Salazar said in a statement.

Before the reception, Lopez and Edelman sat down with Capitol File's Editor in Chief Sherry Moeller for an exclusive interview to run in the October issue of the magazine.

Both talked about "the importance of philanthropy and the power of celebrity to bring a focus to important issues such as the rights of children," the magazine said.

"The world is a different place for me now that I've had children. I want to set an example for my children on how to live their lives. You have to instill that charitable, philanthropic spirit. Be loud. Vote for your children. Vote for your nation," Lopez said during the interview. "I realized I could be a lightning rod. I can bring attention to issues people aren't listening to. People sometimes have to be held under a fire to make a change."