Bright Lights

This morning I went to the New York Women's Foundation breakfast, which was awe-inspiring. I attended with Maya Nussbaum, executive director of Girls Write Now, and we sat with our friend Hali Lee and the Asian Women Giving Circle. CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour spoke eloquently to the hundreds of attendees and I couldn't see straight I was so starstruck. I was also very moved by the Ugandan activists who pooled their funds to raise $1000 for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. And Nevada Littlewolf, a city council member from Minnesota, who beautifully introduced Marie C. Wilson, who herself gave a rousing speech about courage, persistence and what it means for the world to invest in women. She also gave the crowd a mandate to, in some way in the next 24 hours, highlight the work of women currently doing great things...

Today, I'm thinking of Amy Guth, who, since we were goofing off at breakfast in Omaha last fall and she casually mentioned that she was thinking of putting together a literary festival in Chicago, has masterminded the inaugural Pilcrow Lit Fest, happening next week. I can't wait to go and support her vision -- the social highlight of the weekend is a benefit for public libraries in New Orleans! -- and especially a conference line-up that is the most gender-balanced I've ever seen (A cursory tally reveals 31 women out of 57 participants, which is extraordinary. Just ask Jen).  Other accolades today go to my friend Coco Young, whose Williamsburg-by-way-of-Marseille style is featured on a whole page in this month's Lucky magazine, and my neighbor Lindsey Thornburg, who makes capes perfect for traipsing across enchanted landscapes in (and isn't that always the plan?). And the sublime new Elizabeth Peyton show at Gavin Brown, especially the still-lifes.

Also, the biggest lesson I took away from this morning's event is a maxim that I've tried to incorporate into my own life and embrace by example, that anyone can be a philanthropist. In fact, you New Yorkers will have an opportunity to step up on May 27th when Roxana Robinson and Janice Erlbaum read at the beyond brilliant Other Means Reading Series (the hook: featured authors choose a charitable organization to direct the reading's suggested $5 admission towards; this month's good cause TBD).

Comments

[Amy Guth]

Lauren, your sparkling endorsement is such a wonderful lift. See you next week!

[Leah]

Can't wait to see you at Pilcrow!

To say that Amy masterminded is true beyond words. I'm in awe of what she has done and thrilled she asked me along for the ride.

See you soon!