EXECUTIVE WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT (EWG) threw quite a bash today when they hosted their 2009 conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Among the highlights was a speech by the founder of Women’s History Month, Gerda Lerner.
At 88, Gerda is an amazing, formidable embodiment of 20th century history. Armed with her ever-present cup of tea, she enthralled us with her stories of her early days as a prisoner in the Austrian jail, her experience with the McCarthy-era black list, women’s activism, and more. Gerda has seen and survived it all and we were honored to listen as she shared her wisdom with the dynamic crowd of top women in government.
We felt honored to be able to bring her to the conference, and we thank our friends at Accenture for underwriting the purchase of Gerda’s book, Living with History Making Social Change. Each attendee took home a copy – along with copies of the books by the other powerful women leaders who spoke that day:
• Diane MacEachern, author of Big Green Purse
• Rosemary O’Leary, author of The Collaborative Public Manager
• Carolyn Maloney, author of Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
• Nell Merlino, author of Stepping Out of Line
We also loved meeting the fabulously energetic and inspirational keynote speaker Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, America’s first African-American female combat pilot (www.vernicearmour.com). This event was filled with incredible networking opportunities, good conversations, and of course, great books. Learn more about EWG and be sure to sign up for next year’s event: www.execwomeningov.org.
