On April 17, The Birth Center held its first major fundraising event, “Heart to Heart: A Conversation with Anna Quindlen.” This celebration of women featured an interview with the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author. With nearly 500 attendees, TBC’s major sponsors were instrumental in the night being a great success.
The evening began with a Chef’s Showcase, featuring more than 20 well-known local eating establishments. These fabulous women-owned or managed restaurants from around the Delaware Valley donated their considerable talent and provided amazing samples of their cuisine. During this time, attendees had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win gift baskets, restaurant gift certificates, personal training packages and much more.
As the crowd enjoyed the wonderful food and perused the raffle tables, the energy was magical. It was a true celebration of women in all stages of their lives.
Prior to the main presentation, Nancy Feldman Kirsh, Executive Director of The Birth Center, acknowledged the many supporters who made this event possible, including the Honorary Committee and sponsors. At that time, our new video had its debut.
And finally, Jane Eisner, veteran journalist herself, interviewed Quindlen. Eisner, who was formerly an editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer, is now an executive with the National Constitution Center. Eisner began the conversation with a focus on motherhood. Quindlen had much to share and relayed her feelings about juggling full-time work while being a mother of three. Her children are now grown.
“I was very task oriented. The thing I regret most is that I didn’t revel in the moment enough.” The advice that she gives her children is to “try to be present a little more.”
The conversation moved on from there to include Quindlen’s thoughts on raising boys, how the current younger generation views work and society, feminism, the presidential campaign, the news business, and being a writer.
When asked by an audience member what advice she would give a new mother who is raising a child in these challenging times, Quindlen responded with a brief story.
She related being up one night breast-feeding and watching television, and the following was made clear to her: “Everything that I gave out was going to come back to me.” So she realized if she gave out anger, frustration and other negative energy these emotions would live with her children. So she did her best to be positive and instill in her children confidence and capability, emphasizing that we need confident and capable people to address the issues facing society today.
Quindlen’s reach is wide. Her comments provoked questions from women with grown children to male attendees in the audience. Her comments clearly resonated with all in attendance, regardless of age or gender. After more audience questions, the evening’s events concluded with a coffee reception where attendees could mingle further and continue to ponder Quindlen’s words.
