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Toward Meaningful Aging: An evening with Gloria Steinem and special guests California Senator Jackie Speier, Ram Dass and Ken Dychtwald
December 1st, 2004
St. Francis Westin Hotel (Union Square, San Francisco)
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Pacific Institute's first annual gala dinner took place on December 1, 2004 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco.
Gloria Steinem was the keynote speaker. Additional speakers included Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., California State Senator Jackie Speier, Kate Kendell, Esq. and Dr. Elizabeth Bugental who read from her book AgeSong: Meditations for Our Later Years.
Ram Dass and Mark. M. Krug, Ph.D. were also both scheduled to speak but were both unable to attend because of health problems. California State Assemblyman Mark Leno served as M.C. for the evening.
Soul awakening world jazz a cappella was provided by Rhiannon, Joey Blake and David Worm. All three of these performers have worked with Bobby McFerrin. Their performance of "In My Prime" and other songs had the Pacific Institute audience in rapt attention.
The evening began with a private reception with Ms. Steinem.
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, State Senator Jackie Speier, State Assemblyman Mark Leno, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris, Saybrook Graduate School President Maureen O'Hara, Ph.D., and San Francisco Supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier, Bevan Dufty, Sean Elsbernd, Fiona Ma, Sophie Maxwell, Aaron Peskin, and Gerardo Sandoval all demonstrated their support of the event by becoming honorary event committee members.
The evening was a benefit for Pacific Institute.
The following companies and individuals sponsored the Gala:
FullBloom Baking Co.
Hayes Valley Care Residence & Community for Seniors
Home Instead Senior Care, San Francisco, Marin & Sonoma
Sonja & Michael Saltman
Saybrook Graduate School & Research Center
Synergy, LLC
Natasha Boissier & Kimbo Prichard
Mackenzie Green
James G. Stavoy
In Kind Donations were provided by:
Korbel Champagne Cellars
The Maxwell Hotel
The Knitting Brigade
ABOUT GLORIA STEINEM
A devoted activist and writer, Gloria Steinem is undeniably one of the most important voices of the modern feminist movement. Perhaps best known as the co-founder of Ms. Magazine and co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus, Ms. Steinem's name is synonymous with the advancement of women's social equality in America and throughout the world.
MS. STEINEM ON AGING
It's complicated.... Old is not a thing. We're the same people, going through a different stage. And I just want to say to you, in the realism department, that 50 was much harder than 60.
Fifty was the end of this long familiar plateau that you entered at 13 - - you know, the country of the female stereotype. And when I got to 50, which is the edge of this territory - - indeed, the edge used to be 35, 40, we've pushed it to 50 - - then it was like falling off a cliff.
There was no map. Now it's true that I had been fighting with the map. But you're enmeshed with it either way, whether you're obeying it or fighting with it. It was very difficult. So I'm not saying it's all cheerful. I'm just saying that even though you realize the only country described to women is this 13-to-50-year-old country, there is another country after 50. It's so exciting, and so interesting.
Remember when you were 9 or 10 or 11, and maybe you were this tree-climbing, shit-free little girl who said, "It's not fair," and then at 12 or 13 you suddenly turned into a female impersonator who said, "How clever of you to know what time it is!" and all that stuff?
Well, what happens is that when you get to be 60, and the role is over, you go back to that clear-eyed, shit-free, I-know-what-I-want, I-know-what-I- think, 9- or 10-year-old girl. Only now - - you have your own apartment.
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