Oprah addressing the crowd – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Literacy Partners held its 51st annual Evening of Readings & Gala Dinner on Monday, June 9th, at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. The gala brought together 400 of New York’s literary, philanthropic, and civic leaders to celebrate the transformative power of literacy. $1.180,000 was raised.
The Gala’s proceeds directly bolster Literacy Partners’ life-changing programs for adults, parents, caregivers, and immigrant families. These programs, operating nationally from locations in New York City, Philadelphia, Nevada, and San Diego, serve as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking to enhance their literacy skills.
Dinner Atmosphere – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Since 1973, Literacy Partners has been a pioneer in providing free, high-quality literacy education to more than 25,000 adults and families. Its unique two-generation approach empowers adults, parents, and caregivers to create success for themselves and the children in their care.
This innovative method not only builds adult capabilities but also significantly improves child outcomes, making Literacy Partners a standout in the field of literacy education.
Honoree Neil deGrasse Tyson and Ronan Farrow – photo by Randy Brooke
Four notable figures were honored for their exceptional efforts to champion literacy: Erroll McDonald, Executive Editor and Vice President at Alfred A. Knopf; Neil deGrasse Tyson, renowned astrophysicist, author, and science communicator; Bob Woodward, one of the most influential investigative journalists of our time whose decades-long career at The Washington Post has defined accountability in American political reporting; and Cynthia McFadden.
The award-winning anchor and correspondent reprised her role as the longtime and very engaging host of the event. About Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cynthia joked, “Only one of our honorees was voted ‘Sexiest Astrophysicist Alive’ and was mentored by Carl Sagan.”
“I’m pretty sure nobody has ever sold more books or has gotten more people to read books than the one-name phenomenon who joins us this evening: Oprah. I suppose Jesus might be a close competitor with his bible sales and all, but I don’t think that applies.” – Cynthia McFadden, host and honoree
The Special Guest was Oprah Winfrey, who was there to present Erroll McDonald with the Distinguished Leadership in Literacy Award.
Literary-themed table setting – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
The evening began at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and a waterfront welcome, followed by dinner and remarks from presenters, honorees, and Patrick Brown, a Literacy Partner student. It was hard to forget that the evening was all about reading, books, and the written word. That being said, the spoken word ruled the night. Some of the speeches and readings went on too long.
Cynthia McFadden and Greg Kachejian – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
The dress code was “Festive Black Tie,” but it appears most dressed in cocktail attire. Indeed, many people disregard mandated dress codes and prefer to wear what they want.
Jean Shafiroff in Carolina Herrera – photo by Randy Brooke
Cynthia McFadden’s silver dress was an unlabeled vintage find that she just happened to like. Perri Peltz looked festive and chicly casual. Jean Shafiroff was hands down the most ‘dressed’ of the night, with her Carolina Herrera gown and long white gloves, but many others looked as though they had come straight from work.
Marilyn Kirschner in vintage YSL – photo by Randy Brooke
Because I am far more comfortable in tailoring than in dresses, I opted for my favorite vintage YSL ’80s jacket with gold paillettes and a modernist gold necklace.
Perri Peltz – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
It’s no surprise that the event, honoring those who champion literacy, attracted several prominent media figures. Among them were Leslie Stahl, who was there to present Neil deGrasse Tyson with the Champion of Literacy Award, Ronan Farrow (I recently watched “Rosemary’s Baby” on TCM starring his mom Mia), Perri Peltz, and Carl Bernstein, who attended to honor his great friend and collaborator, Bob Woodward.
“We are at a moment of intolerable risk for this country because of the Trump presidency. The guiding principle of his presidency: “I’ve had these views for 30 years. Think about what a shocking rationale that is.” – Bob Woodward
Honoree Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein – photo by Marilyn Kirschner
The two men share a mutual respect, love, and an inextricable lifelong bond that dates back to 1972, when, as young reporters for The Washington Post, Woodward and Bernstein (WP editor-in-chief Ben Bradlee called the duo “Woodstein”) broke the Watergate story, which led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation.
Their relentless investigative reporting, including uncovering connections between Nixon’s campaign and the burglars, exposed a series of events that ultimately led to Nixon’s downfall. This work earned them and The Post a Pulitzer Prize.
Woodward, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, turned his acceptance speech into a diatribe against Trump, and he did not let up for a moment. Woodward acknowledged that Robert Penn Warren’s “All the King’s Men” (1946) is one of his favorite books.
(It’s a powerful political novel and later a movie that explores the rise and fall of a charismatic yet morally ambiguous Southern governor, Willie Stark, through the eyes of cynical journalist Jack Burden.)
All the President’s Men, simonandschuster.com
Bob and Carl liked the tome so much that they considered using the title for their 1974 nonfiction book, which exposed the trail of corruption that led to the downfall of the Nixon Administration. However, they decided on the title “All The President’s Men” instead.
The 50th Anniversary Edition has a new foreword on what Watergate means today. Woodward revealed that it was recently suggested they return to the original title.
