ALEXA RAY JOEL gushed over mom CHRISTIE BRINKLEY at Monday night's Smart Cookie Awards in New York, which recognize and support mothers in the business, philanthropy, and celebrity worlds who are making outstanding contributions to women's and children's causes around the globe.

Alexa was there to give a speech honoring Christie and said, "She manages to do it all and still look great every day, and I don't know how she does it!"