Thursday, July 17, 2008

Intrepid Women Honored

The National NOW Conference kicks off tomorrow in DC, but tonight it was time to party! For the past five years NOW has hosted a gala honoring courageous women.

This year awards were presented to Dr. Dorothy Height, president emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, the Honorable Janet Reno who served as Attorney General from 1993 to 2001, Linda Chavez-Thompson, the highest ranking woman even in the U.S. labor movement, Marna Tucker, an attorney and pioneer in advancing the status of women in the legal profession as the first woman elected president of the DC Bar in 1984, and Katie Couric, who broke one of the toughest glass ceilings when CBS News named her sole anchor and managing editor of their nightly newscast.

Each woman shared their inspiring story, and had the audience on its feet!

I had an opportunity to chat with Katie Couric and Janet Reno before they were honored, and they are amazing. Janet thanked her sister for the support she has received from her and reminded us that we all need the support of our family and friends as we take on these challenges. And when Katie took to the stage she said "I'm pleased to be in a place where I can finally say I'm a feminist." Maybe I should send her a "this is what a feminist looks like" t-shirt!

I'm looking forward to an eventful day tomorrow.

2 comments:

Mary Ellen said...

Wow! That's so great that you had a chance to talk to Janet Reno! I've always admired her strength, and her ability to make fun of herself. She's a woman of strong convictions, and she is true to herself and her belief's...which is not easy when working in Washington.

Anonymous said...

Oh,wow. Have a great time at the conference, BAC.