Voices: Anne Lamott

I had the opportunity to hear Anne Lamott speak this past week at the Voices lecture series. A 60 year old white woman with dreads might cause one to pause. She is however riveting. She often speaks of loss but in a hopeful way. I have read several of her books. Traveling Mercies is the most recent one.

I left the lecture with three thoughts.

First, there are three kinds of prayer: Help, Thanks and Wow! I do think most fit one of those categories. I certainly applied them to my golf game on Friday. haha
She later added a forth prayer called Whatever. I think that fits the case when you don't get the answer for which you hoped.

Second, there are really only two things that can fill you up. One is giving and the other is solitude.

Third, for writers or artists or anyone learning something new or doing something new, DO THE WORK. Don't wait for inspiration to come. It comes by doing the work.

She was funny, engaging and very honest. I wish you could have joined me for this fun and thoughtful evening.

Voices: Amy Tan

I've read a number of her books. The Bonesetter's Daughter was my personal favorite although The Joy Luck Club is good too. I often wonder how much of a person's life story ends up in their writings. In this case, quite a lot. Ms Tan was born in the US to immigrant parents from China. On this evening, she shared the story of growing up with a mother who suffered from severe angst and perhaps depression.

Generally, I thought the lecture was too personal, a downer but some life stories are just that. I would have liked her to link her unusual upbringing to her life as a writer. Or, the journey she traveled to becoming a published writer. That didn't happen and I missed that aspect.

She graduated from Linfield College here in Oregon. It is where she met her husband of many years. Her next novel, Valley of Amazement, will be published later this year. I look forward to reading it.

If you live in Oregon, you should consider attending the Voices lecture series. There are four a year in October, November, February and April, featuring women speakers from all walks of life.

Next years lineup features Eve Ensler of Vagina Monolog fame, speaking on "In the Body of the World";
Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love, speaking on "Big Magic: Thoughts on Creative Living";

Marin Alsop, first woman to head a major American orchestra, speaks on "A Life in Music";

and Asenath Andrews, founded the Catherine Ferguson Academy for Young Women, educating teens with children and helping them break the cycle of poverty. She will speak on "Take Away Shoes and Give Girls Wings".

I hope to see you there!

Voices: Cokie Roberts

Cokie Roberts was the first speaker of the new Voices season. She is a political commentator for ABC news and serves as Senior News Analyst for National Public Radio. She has won numerous awards for her work, including three Emmys. In addition, she has written several books, including From This Day Forward, Founding Mothers, Ladies of Liberty and We Are Our Mother's Daughters.
She has a lot to say about women in the world.

Her talk came on the evening of the first presidential debate. She watched for as long as she could before talking with us. I liked that her information was bipartisan. I, for one, am so tired of news commentators who present their opinion as if it were fact.

She shared that in her opinion, the reason that the country is in dire straits is because of the failure of the members of Congress to cross their party lines. The strong need to vote your party in order to get reelected is damaging to the country. When asked what could be done to change that kind of thinking, she offered that we should elect more women to these offices. Women are more collaborative. She shared that the women of the Senate meet regularly to share ideas and strengthen their positions. She did not gender bash which IMHO strengthened her statements.

This was a wonderful thought provoking evening. I wish that all of you could have participated. However, do read her books. They are well researched and very thought provoking, offering another point of view.

Our usual picture, here with Cokie. Too much fun!

Voices Lecture Finale for this Season

Last week, I had an opportunity to hear Isabella Rossellini speak. She is elegant and graceful. She related stories from her childhood, specifically what it was like being the child of famous parents, Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini. Then, she told stories of her children and what it was like for them, growing up with a mother who was the face of Lancome for 10 years. She is a powerhouse, working in big business and producing movies. She loves her work. It is her life. The people she meets through her work have made a profound impact on who she has become. In the end, we are not all that different. It seems to be that way for each of us.

The warmth of Isabella Rossellini made for a truly enjoyable evening.

Voices Contemporary Lectures

If you live in Portland, run, don't walk and sign up for next
season's Voices lecture series. It is money well spent.

My week 5 highlight was having the opportunity to hear
Dee Dee Myers speak. At age 31, she was President
Clinton's Press Secretary and served in this position for
2 years. She most recently wrote a book by the title
Why Women Should Rule the World. It is not a male
basher but rather discusses the gifts women bring to
the table in business or politics or life.  Myers also
encourages women to give consideration to the voice
they use when speaking of their own achievements

As a side, she graduated from Santa Clara University,
which is where my girlie goes to school.

Totally loved Week 5.