by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) celebrated the 2013 Winners of the Living Legacy Awards at the third annual NWHM de Pizan Honors held at The Mead Center, Arena Stage on October 9th.
Lynda Bird Johnson Robb, one of the honorary chairs, attended the event with her husband, former Governor of Virginia Chuck Robb.
Former Sen. Chuck Robb, Denyce Graves, Ella Thomas-Montgomery, Lynda Bird Johnson Robb
Denyce Graves, who attended Duke Ellington School, brought her daughter Ella (4th grade) and physician husband Dr. Montgomery, who came directly from the operating room to join them and watch Graves receive The Marian Anderson Living Legends Award.
Molly Smith, Artistic Director, joined the VIP reception with performer Maurice Hines who is rehearsing for his upcoming production of “Tappin’ thu life” which will be launched in mid-November. Hines is good friends with Phylicia Rashad, another one of the honorees and also from Washington.
Denyce Graves and Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashad, a graduate of Howard University, received The Lena Horne Living Legends Award. Phylicia’s mom introduced her to Lena when she brought home records of Lena and was forever mesmerized by her beauty and her voice.
Carol Schwartz and Joan Bradley Wages
The third honoree, Dr. Etta Pisano, received The Dr. Helen Taussig Living Legends Award. Dr. Pisano lost her mother at 15, the oldest of 7 children. Her father, husband and siblings were in the audience spurring a very emotional acceptance speech about the importance of helping women with breast cancer. “We need mammograms funded by the health community—even if mammograms help only one woman each year—-that’s saving one person’s life.”
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Joan Bradley Wages, Lynda Bird Johnson Robb and former Senator Chuck Robb
Two hundred guests came from as far as LA, NY, Texas, South Carolina….including local politician Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennesee) a strong supporter of the NWHM legislation.
“We are so humbled to be in the company of these great stars like Denyce Graves and Phylicia Rashad…we pinch ourselves, how did we get here!? ” MC’s Frangela
