Week in Review

This past Wednesday was the annual Washington Area Women's Foundation Leadership Luncheon. You might remember my post about it last year. I was so inspired that despite my complete lack of comfort with soliciting money, I enthusiastically agreed to join the Host Committee for this year's event. 

The tone of this year's Luncheon was one firmly rooted in female empowerment and strength. After a week of Me Toos swirling around, it was tremendously meaningful to sit with more than a thousand women (and a few men) and celebrate our vast ability, resilience, and connectedness. I am proud that the host committee this year raised more than $860,000 for the Women's Foundation. This record amount is crucial for our wholly donor-supported organization, and I am grateful to all who lift us up. 

On Friday night, a dear friend and I headed downtown to see Tom Hanks in conversation with Ann Patchett. A curious combination, perhaps, until you find that Hanks has just published a book of short stories, Uncommon Type. 

Gorgeous night, exciting event.

He is an avid collector of vintage typewriters (he owns more than 200) and the machine has a role, from mention to major character, in each of the seventeen stories in the book. 

Meanwhile, in addition to being a prolific writer, Patchett, as you might know, owns the independent bookstore, Parnassus Books, in Nashville. She was sent an advanced copy of Hanks' book. Initially rolling her eyes over "another actor who wants to publish a book," she found that once she started reading, she couldn't stop. She noted with relief that Hanks' writing is totally unaffected in a way that feels increasingly rare these days. 

It was a delightful conversation, although my friend and I both wondered if Hanks is always so kinetic and "on" or if he was in show-mode for this event. It was at times almost exhausting to watch and listen to him. I liked Patchett a lot. Although I don't much care for her fiction, her nonfiction is brilliant and I absolutely adore it. I hoped not to have a Kingsolver experience (remember when I went to hear her speak and found her public presence not terribly appealing; sad), and I didn't.

Washington has so much to offer. Despite American politics feeling like the most depressing and toxic and devouring dumpster fire ever, this city is extraordinarily rich in so many other ways, and I feel lucky I can take regular advantage of our cultural and social justice offerings.

It has also been a week (weeks, actually) of pretty and delicious food which for me never fails to serve as balm and joy. 

pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter and parmesan

incredibly juicy, tangy Concord grapes from a local farmers market

tomatoes from that market heading towards roasted tomato jam (an outstanding Amanda Hesser recipe)

after nearly two hours in the oven, the jam is ready to put up.

In other news, Stumptown has changed its packaging, and I'm smitten with the handsome take on a humble coffee bag. If you love coffee and grind your own beans for your morning espresso, please try Hairbender. Mamma mia. It's a worthy splurge.

And Nutmeg continues to keep watch, this time with the help of a bony friend. Oliver, who loves Halloween more than even his birthday and Christmas, is in full decorative spirit and costume planning right now. The countdown to the 31st is on! Ol told me last week, "Mamma, I know you don't love Halloween, but you always work to make it so much fun for me. Thank you." What a gift he is, and such an old soul. Tom and I are dressing up this year, and Ol is delighted. I told him that his enthusiasm is infectious, and thanks for making my life more fun. 

An extraordinarily uplifting day: Together We Thrive

Yesterday was magical, a wholly uplifting series of events that made my heart feel full and helped me make the wise decision to head to bed early rather than continue watching the final presidential debate.

Through the boys' school, I have met some tremendous women, women who inspire me and who are making the world a better place in the ways that they parent, live, work and effect positive change.

Diara recently invited me to attend the Washington Area Women's Foundation annual Leadership Luncheon. WAWF is an organization of which she's been part for some time, and I quickly saw why. It is an anti-poverty foundation dedicated to economic empowerment for women and girls through education, job training, and childcare (which of course helps make all education and job training infinitely more possible).

WAWF's programming is rooted in research and data and is the only foundation in the DC area that focuses exclusively on investing in women. And, as we heard from WAWF's President and CEO, Jennifer Lockwood-Shabat, WAWF will be doubling down on its commitment to standing publicly and proudly for racial equity by helping "write a new narrative that celebrates women and girls of color." and funding a great deal of research on their realities. For example, African American girls comprise 8% of the student population but receive 14% of suspensions. Why?

Since 1998, WAWF has awarded "nearly $11 million in grants to more than 170 community-based organizations in the Washington, D.C. region" and between January and December 2015 alone, "helped women increase their income and assets by $3.6 million." One keynote speaker was Juanita King, a woman who was addicted to crack cocaine for more than 20 years, became HIV positive during that time, and spent time in prison for drug distribution. Determined to get back on her feet, Juanita enrolled in Goodwill's Hospitality Training Program (funded in part by WAWF) and recently celebrated two years of employment at the Marriott Marquis in DC and 8 years of staying clean. In her speech, she proudly called herself an "overcomer" and it was clear that everyone agreed completely. What a bright light.

Lesli, another good friend I met through schools, emceed the luncheon, and Valerie Jarrett (yes, that Valerie Jarrett) was the primary keynote. I'm a pretty politically aware person, but as Ms. Jarrett walked us through just some of the Obama administration's accomplishments on behalf of women, anti-poverty work, education, and gender and pay equity, I was deeply moved. Increased prioritization of STEM education, sexual assault prevention programming, dropping poverty and unemployment rates, continued low teen pregnancy rates, the Lilly Ledbetter fair pay act AND a subsequent Executive Order to further work against unequal pay....

Such a vibrant, impressive woman!

I look forward to getting more involved in the Women's Foundation because together, we do thrive.

After hurrying home to change, pick up the kids, and drop them back home, I headed out to Anne Arundel Community College. Imelda (our wonderful housekeeper who we've known for six years) was graduating from AACC's GED program. I was so honored that she invited me and would not have missed the ceremony for the world. Her mom, Dalila, was in from Mexico, and the two of us and Imelda's good friend and colleague, Jackie, were Imelda's cheering section.

I've written about Imelda before. She is very special to me, and I am continually inspired by her work ethic, innate dignity, kindness, and perseverance. I am so proud of her and hope she'll allow me to continue cheering her on as she begins her college career at AACC. 

As I looked around the room last night, I was, again, intensely moved. The three student speakers talked about how depression, early pregnancies, and life challenges had caused them to decide to leave high school years ago. How they never thought they'd be standing on the stage, diploma in hand, futures bright. There were graduates of all ages beaming with pride and joy as they moved tassel from left to right. There was babies and children and parents and grandparents cheering from the seats below. 

I thought about how much harder some must work than others, how poverty and other disadvantages are so terribly difficult to overcome, and although I reveled in the celebration, I also felt my heart pinch.

There is such great inequality in this country, and it is unjust and deeply sad. I am so grateful for organizations like the Women's Foundation and Anne Arundel Community College, places and people who know that none of us can do it alone, and some need and deserve extra support.

I stopped watching the debate last night because after such an uplifting day of community and togetherness, I felt my elation dissipating with every lie, interruption, and snarky attempt to divide and sow mistrust that Trump sneered out. Neither candidate is perfect, but only Clinton seems to have any real commitment to unity. To strengthening the communal quilt that we as a country so desperately need for both shelter and cohesion. 

Women like Juanita and Imelda don't need more challenges in their lives. They need more support. Together we can do better. Together we can thrive.