 Ali P. Crown |
“Wine, Women, and Song!” was a warm celebration
of our tenth anniversary. About 250 friends and family gathered at Miller-Ward
Alumni House on December 4, 2002, despite the warnings of an ice storm headed
to Atlanta.
Two of the founding mothers of Emory Women’s Center—Patti Owen-Smith
and Paula Washington, along with a talented and inspired gala-planning committee—crafted
a unique evening of boundless tribute and festive entertainment. In the process,
they indulged us with marvelous food and drink amid an abundance of praise,
applause, and wonder.
We were moved to joyfulness—and sometimes tears—as Patti and Paula
read the names of “Women in Our Lives,” a montage of photographs
of grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, partners, mentors, and friends
submitted by our celebrants. Tina Lu, a senior in Emory College, performed
Schubert’s “Sonata in B-flat Major” during the presentation.
Classical piano wasn’t the only genre of musical entertainment for the
night. D’Vine, a trio of Georgia women who travel the world with their
music ministry, gave us some of the best gospel songs from their new release,
“Two Sisters and a Friend.”
It was appropriate, too, to reflect on our history for a brief time and recognize
Emory President Emeritus Jim Laney for his vision in creating a space for
women on our campus a decade ago. For me personally, it was also important
to reveal the two date rapes that rocked our community in one weekend and
became the catalysts that moved Jim to establish a women’s center. This
urgent and somber piece of our history needs to be remembered along with the
telling of our many triumphs and success stories.
Move with me now into the next decade as we steadfastly maintain our course
of giving voice to women’s lives on the pages of this publication and
through our many worthy programs and services.