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Gary Tischler • December 19, 2013

If Richard Harris and Richard Burton, actor Peter O’Toole’s boon companions in riotous self destruction, are anyplace where they can be gate-keepers or greeters, they might give an exasperated greeting to the new arrival. Something on the order of “Well, Peter, it’s about bloody time, for heaven’s sake.”

Together, O’Toole, who died at the age of 81 over the weekend, finally closing those wonderfully magnetic blue eyes, Burton and Harris were three of the most celebrated film and stage actors in the world. They were also three of the most celebrated pub crawlers and hell-raisers in the world and were not expected to live into a ripe old age.

Burton, after two tumultuous and, yes, celebrated marriages and divorces to Elizabeth Taylor, went first at the age of 58 in 1984. Harris died at the age of 71 in 2002. O’Toole, who was plagued by ailments often, made it to 81. All three of them—with bloodlines that were Welsh (Burton) and Irish (Harris and Burton)—were brilliant actors, who, once you saw them at the top of their game, you never forgot them.

Burton always felt that he had never quite lived up to his promise—which was huge, and included Shakespearean pinnacles like “Hamlet” and (with Taylor) “Taming of the Shrew.” He, too, somehow never managed to win an Oscar in spite of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” Harris gained instant, unforgettable fame in “This Sporting Life” a black-and-white British film from the 1960s in which he played a ferocious, raging Rugby player, then, coincidentally and late in life, took up the mantle of King Arthur in a touring company of “Camelot.” In an interview with the Georgetowner at that time, Harris was asked if all the tales of carousing among the three were true. After a considerable silence and pause, he said, “Ah, hell yes, but those days are long gone.”

O’Toole—by God, he will always be T.E. Lawrence, “Lawrence of Arabia,” in David Lean’s epic star-studded epic—was a relative unknown who took on the title role turned down by Marlon Brando (can you imagine?) and killed it: on top of a train in the Middle Eastern desert, leading an Arab uprising against the Ottoman Empire as best personified in a creepy turn by Jose Ferrer as a Turkish officer. It was an international cast: the Egyptian Omar Sharif as a young Arab leader, (“Doctor Zhivago” came next), the English Alec Guinness as a sheik, and the Hispanic Anthony Quinn (pre-Zorba) as another Arab leader. O’Toole practically blotted out the sun, blue eyes blazing in the desert.

He had seven Oscar nominations but never won—he did get an honorary lifetime achievement award. Both he and Burton, working together brilliantly were nominated for their roles in “Becket,” O’Toole as Henry II and Burton as the resolute and rebellious Archibishop of Canterbury. The two men were old, carousing friends, until Thomas a Becket challenged the authority of the king. O’Toole played Henry again in “The Lion in Winter” opposite another legend, Katharine Hepburn, as Eleanor of Aquitaine.

O’Toole never stopped acting until recently, when he retired from acting last year. He played a pope in “The Borgias,” for one thing, and was absolutely unforgettable once he turned to character parts, including the Errol Flynn-based character of a movie star trying out the perils of live television in “My Favorite Year.” He, too, played “Hamlet” at the National Theatre, directed by Laurence Olivier. He acted on the stage unto the 1990s.

Other memorable roles—in television as well as film—included a serial-killing Nazi general in “The Night of the Generals,” an obsessive director in “The Stunt Man,” the title role in “Lord Jim,” King Priam of Troy in “Troy” (starring Brad Pitt), a future Roman emperor in “Masada” on television and an elegant thief in “How To Steal a Million”.

Somewhere at some cloud-side pub, the doors are open for another round for O’Toole, Harris and Burton, giants all, with tales to tell and parts to play.

Georgetowner •

Holiday Wreath Workshop

December 13th, 2013 at 01:00 PM | $38-$48 | info@tudorplace.org | Tel: (202) 965-0400 | Event Website

Create your own holiday wreath from a variety of plant materials direct from the Tudor Place garden! Cedar boughs, magnolia leaves, berry-laden holly, pinecones, and boxwood offer opportunities for distinctive wreaths. All wreaths are medium-sized and all materials are provided.

Address

1644 31st Street, NW

The National Aeronautic Association’s 2013 Wright Memorial Trophy Dinner

December 13th, 2013 at 06:00 PM | $225 | Event Website

The 2013 NAA Wright Memorial Trophy will be presented to Marion Blakey, former NTSB Chair and FAA Administrator and the current president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association. She is the second woman to receive this distinguished aviation award.

NAA established this award in 1948 to honor the memory of Orville and Wilbur Wright. The trophy is awarded annually to a living American for “…significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.”

Address

Washington Hilton; 1919 Connecticut Ave NW

Beads, Buttons and Fibers, Jewelry by Mary Kenesson

December 14th, 2013 at 03:00 PM | free | art@liveanartfullife.com | Tel: 540-253-9797 | Event Website

Join us for our holiday open house and meet local fiber artist Mary Kenesson. Mary travels the world and brings home vintage buttons, beads and fibers which she fashions into wonderful one-of-a-kind jewelry. She will bring great earrings, unique bracelets and necklaces with incredible hand worked detail. Her work is very unique and will make wonderful gifts. She will be conducting a demonstration on how to make Vintage Button Earrings.

Address

Live An Artful Life Gallery; 6474 Main Street; The Plains, VA 20198

Tilghman Island Holiday Celebration Features Lighting of 42-Ft. Crab Pot Tree

December 14th, 2013 at 05:00 PM | info@pwec.org. | Event Website

Santa’s elves are hard at work on Tilghman Island in Talbot County, Maryland, building a giant Christmas tree made entirely with crab pots. The wiry 42-foot tree will anchor the community’s holiday celebration that is scheduled to take place on December 14. A ubiquitous symbol of the waterman’s life, crab pots are plentiful this time of year with crabbing season at an end and oyster season well under way.

Address

Tilghman Island; Tilghman, MD, 21671

Gingerbread House Workshop

December 14th, 2013 at 12:00 PM | $10-$20 donation | leah@risDC.com | Tel: (202) 730-2500 | Event Website

A weekend workshop to learn the tricks to building and decorating the perfect gingerbread house. Guests will sample the latest holiday treats from new Pastry Chef Beverly Bates while making the perfect gingerbread masterpiece. Adults are invited to enjoy hot apple ginger cider made with Laird’s Applejack rum and house-made ginger beer. All proceeds from donations will benefit DC Central Kitchen.

Address

RIS; 2275 L Street NW

Sing We All Nowell! Music for Christmas

December 15th, 2013 at 04:00 PM | $20 in advance or $25 at the door, with a $5 discount for students and seniors. | info@thomascirclesingers.org | Tel: 202-232-3353 | Event Website

A favorite among our friends and supporters, the TCS Christmas concert features a choral procession with bells, a brass quintet, and an audience singalong of favorite carols. TCS joins the Bel Canto Chorus of the Children’s Chorus of Washington, the Commonwealth Brass, organ, harp, and percussion to perform a family-friendly, uplifting program of holiday music. This concert is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.

Address

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; 4900 Connecticut Avenue, NW

An Enchanted Christmas: A Heartwarming Holiday Concert

December 16th, 2013 at 07:00 PM | $15-$75 | choralarts@choralarts.org | Tel: 202-244-3669 | Event Website

Choral Arts holiday concert warms hearts with nostalgic memories of yesterdays’ Christmases and renews the hope of the season. This year’s Christmas concert is enhanced by the cherubic voices of the Children’s Chorus of Washington. Experience the glorious sound of adult and children voices with a chamber orchestra performing your favorite holiday classics and join in for the popular carol sing-along.

Choral Arts-202.244.3669; choralarts.org

Kennedy Center-202.467.4600; kennedy-center.org

Address

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; 2700 F Street NW

Robert Devaney •

Georgetown University held its annual open house for neighbors Dec. 9 at Riggs Library, decorated for Christmastime.
University president John DeGioia welcomed the happy crowd along with council member Jack Evans, who spoke of how well Washington, D.C., was doing. DeGioia talked about Georgetown’s neighborhood partnership, the university’s new downtown campus near Mount Vernon Square as well as the recent event for D.C. school principals at Georgetown and the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration at the Kennedy Center in January. He also noted that the party-goers were in the Healy Building, which was designed by Smithmeyer & Pelz, the same architects who did the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, and said he saw the two landmark buildings as bookends of education for D.C. The hostess for the party was the university’s Lauralyn Lee, associate vice president for community engagement and strategic initiatives.

Gary Tischler •

When Deborah F. Rutter, president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, was introduced as the next Kennedy Center president—succeeding outgoing president Michael M. Kaiser Sept. 1—she was asked at a Dec. 10 press conference how it felt to be the first female president of the center.

“Well, I haven’t been asked that question in a long time,” she said. Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein hastened to add that “we chose her because she was the best candidate.”

From the unanimously positive response to the news of her selection, and her credentials as a bridge-builder, collaborator, fund raiser and person of vision, that appears to be a self evident fact. But the issue of Rutter’s gender isn’t really an issue, but another welcome sign of the coming of like-minded and visionary, pragmatic female leaders in Washington’s cultural and institutional environment. Rutter’s selection makes her one of the most high-profile leaders among the Washington areas’s cultural institutions.

Jenny Bilfield, named earlier this year as president and chief executive officer of the Washington Performing Arts Society—the areas’ long-time and premiere performance presenter—said she was “thrilled to hear the news.”

“I don’t know her personally, but I certainly know of her and I know we share thoughts about the role of cultural institutions in the community and about education and outreach and collaboration with other institutions. I’m also intrigued by the fact that we are both married to musicians and we both have teenage children. I’m looking forward to having a rich relationship with her. Everything I’ve heard is she is forward looking, reaches out to people and to community and is a superb collaborator. It’s just really, really exciting news.”

The Washington area has experienced a recent growth in female leaders in the performance arts community that includes Bilfield, Washington Opera artistic director Francesca Zambello, Suzanne Farrell, also at the Kennedy Center, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conductor Marin Alsop and now Rutter.

“I think this is very welcome news for Washington to have such a talented and able person come to this city to head the Kennedy Center,” said Judith Terra, chair of the DC Arts Commission. “She has an outstanding reputation as a leader in Chicago. We welcome the news of her appointed and we welcome here to the city and the arts community.”

“You realize,” a reporter told her, “that you have a pretty tough act to follow.”

“I know that,” she said. “It’s an honor and a challenge to continue to build on the tremendous work that Michael Kaiser has done here for the past 13 years.”

“I believe in engaging the center with the community we serve here,” Rutter said. “I think all Americans—who live in our country—should have access to the arts, and all artists should be engaged as “citizen artists”, contributing to our culture and our communities. As the living memorial to John F. Kennedy as a home to art and artists, the Kennedy Center must not just reflect back on the past, but look forward to the future. We must engage our audiences here in this place and expand our reach beyond these walls, taking advantage of new technologies and building on the current educational and community programs.”

Rutter will be the third president of the Kennedy Center, succeeding Kaiser, who served for 13 years and will serve until Aug. 31. Roger Stevens was the first president of the center.

Rutter has been president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the past ten years, a tenure that saw her persuasive powers at full display by getting the renowned Italian conductor Ricardo Muti to come to Chicago and head the orchestra in 2010. She introduced an innovative performance program called Beyond The Score, and instituted stronger outreach to the community, with a policy she called “citizen musicianship” and a program with the CSO’s Institute for Learning, Access and Training. Rutter not only brought patrons to the orchestra, but brought the orchestra and music to the community.

A Stanford graduate, Rutter was also executive director of the Seattle Symphony, where she erased a deficit, tripled the annual budget and grew its endowment six-fold.

It’s been a successful career, but running the Kennedy Center is still a major step forward in responsibilities, scope and sheer size. She’ll be overseeing the Center’s $100 million expansion, and will be running a center that includes not only the merged NSO and the Washington National Opera, but also theater, dance, ballet, and jazz.

Rutter received high praise from Kaiser. “Deborah is smart, creative, kind and experienced. I cannot imagine anyone in whom I would have more confidence to lead the center.”

“The Kennedy Center is fortunate to have found in Deborah an individual with an undeniable passion for an knowledge of the performing arts; a long, well-respected track record of managing and enhancing performing arts organizations and a commitment to making the performing arts accessible and appealing to people of all ages and background,” Rubenstein said.

Marie Loiseau • December 12, 2013

The D.C. Council unanimously passed a bill to hike the city’s minimum wage. On Dec. 3, the 13-member council voted to increase it to $11.50 an hour by 2016; this would be one of the highest minimum wages in the country and much greater than the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

The bill, called the Minimum Wage Amendment Act of 2013, would work gradually, raising the wage to $9.50 on July 1, 2014, to $10.15 on July 1, 2015, and to $11.50 on July 1, 2016.

Lawmakers recently approved similar minimum wage boosts in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland. These counties aim to raise minimum wage in increments, ending in 2017.

One more vote is required before the D.C. bill falls into Mayor Vincent Gray’s hands. Gray has voiced his opposition, desiring a smaller increase to $10 an hour.
“The bill, in its current form, will harm District’s regional competitiveness,” Gray wrote in a letter to the council.

Gray already voted against particular minimum wages increases earlier this year. In September, he vetoed the Large Retailer Accountability Act -– or “Walmart Bill” –that would have forced large retailers to pay employees a minimum of $12.50 an hour. The Walmart Bill, according to Gray, was “not a true living-wage measure.”

With unanimous support within the council, however, the Minimum Wage Amendment Act of 2013 could move forward without Gray’s approval. The council only needs nine votes to override a veto from Gray.

In a related measure, the D.C. Council also voted unanimously to require tipped workers five days of forgiven sick time. Council members believe this will provide more job security for these workers, and will keep sick employees away from the restaurant environment.

Gary Tischler •

On Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, a 95-year-old man who had spent 27 years of his life in prison, and who had been frail and ill for some time, died surrounded by family, his wife, children and grandchildren.

Far away in London, dignitaries, including Prince William and his wife Catherine, attended the premiere of a film about the life of that old man, two of whose daughters were also on the movie screening. Outside the old man’s home, people commenced to dance in celebration of his life, while weeping for the loss suffered by his country, which remains both triumphant and still troubled.

Tomorrow, thousands will pour into a 90,000-capacity stadium in Johannesburg for a memorial service, in the very same place the old man made his last real public appearance, officiating over the World Cup Soccer competition. There will be days of mourning leading up to the state funeral on Sunday.

The old man was Nelson Mandela, and he changed the world, as the world changed him. His death and the response to his death contain Homeric drama, the stuff of homespun legends and homilies, assessing the superior strengths of great men and the self-acknowledged weaknesses of these same men. Through Mandela’s life and life experience, the world got to witness the birth of a new country sprung out of the defeat of old oppression and injustice and the death of an evil system of racial separation, bringing something unique to a continent often seen through the prism of cliché.

If you look at the man through film, image, pictures, it is as if there were at least two persons in the heart and soul of Nelson Mandela—one of them a fierce, charismatic young scion of a tribal leader, filled to the brim with energetic passion, handsome and powerful, even intimidating, the other, after 27 years in prison, transformed into his people’s but also his nation’s political leader. This was the tall, white-haired sage, the composed world leader, stifling his anger and resentment, turning to the leader of the people who had oppressed the majority black South Africans with the stifling, separatist system of Apartheid to dismantle that very system.

During his life, Mandela had been branded as terrorist by many countries, including the United States, where he occupied a place on the terrorist watch list. He had concluded in the early fight against Apartheid that his African National Congress would abandon peaceful resistance and instead embark on a campaign of violence against the white South African government. He was arrested and tried for treason and sentenced to life imprisonment. In that forge of silence, during which one of his sons died, Mandela had been separated from the world even as his stature in it grew with every act of violence and suppression by the government. From his cell, he must have heard the rising clamor, the condemnation of the South African government by other nations, the sanctions, the rising cry for freedom and an end to apartheid.

One South African president had offered him freedom in exchange for promising to give up violent resistance. He refused. So, it came to be that a new president, F.W. De Klerk ended Mandela’s life in prison on Feb. 11, 1990, after De Klerk had legalized the ANC. Mandela entered freedom at a precarious moment, when his very presence could have incited a civil war. He chose instead to embark on cooperation, negotiation and forgiveness as a way of saving his country, a stance that was both humanistic and pragmatic but, above all, a heroic act of moral imagination made real.

Together, Mandela and De Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize, for it was peace—as opposed to violence and civil war—that they had achieved. Shortly thereafter, Mandela was elected president of his country.

He had transformed himself with his tightly cropped white hair, into a kind of sage bristling with moral authority. He visited Washington a number of times, spoke at Howard University, and traveled the world thereafter preaching a kind of pragmatic idealism, and forgiveness, leading by example. He wore the South African colors of the country’s mostly white rugby team at the cup finals. Members of the old ruling government were part of his cabinet.

He inspired other world leaders, including President Barack Obama, who will be attending the memorial service with the first lady, and former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. A large number of world leaders will be on hand—but not the Prime Minister of President of Israel or the Dalai Lama. Bono, the rock star who lent his fame and beliefs to the anti-Apartheid movement, will be there as will the Spice Girls. The irony of Mandela’s political life were such that he may be the only political leader ever to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Order of Lenin. In his long life, he married three times, suffered the loss of children and took up the banner of fighting AIDS after losing another son to the disease

Although there can be no question that he must have harbored bitterness of the bleak, tortured years of imprisonment, he never showed it in public. He reached out in ways that the younger man would not have. He had charm and a sternness that could be intimidating. In the media, anchors and reporters reminisced about first meeting him and pondered the meaning of his life.

Here in Washington, the South African Embassy at 3051 Massachusetts Ave. NW, is holding prayer vigils through Tuesday at the statue of Mandela in front of the building. There is also a book of condolences the public may sign at the embassy. There is another condolence book, set up by the District of Columbia, at the Wilson Building at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, through Tuesday; it will be sent to the people of South Africa.

At Howard University, there will be a Mandela march and program, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 10, at the Cramton Auditorium 2455 Sixth St., NW.

There will be a service celebrating Mandela’s life at the National Cathedral at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Vice President Joe Biden will speak at the service.

On Thursday, Dec. 5, an old man died at the age of 95 after a long illness. He was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, known as Madiba. People weep, people sing and dance in affirmation still.

Georgetowner • December 9, 2013

Holiday Wreath Workshop

December 6th, 2013 at 10:00 AM | $38-$48 | info@tudorplace.org | Tel: (202) 965-0400 | Event Website

Create your own holiday wreath from a variety of plant materials direct from the Tudor Place garden! Cedar boughs, magnolia leaves, berry-laden holly, pinecones, and boxwood offer opportunities for distinctive wreaths. All wreaths are medium-sized and all materials are provided.

Address

1644 31st Street, NW

Christmas in Middleburg 2013

December 7th, 2013 at 08:30 AM | Free | Organizer@ChristmasinMiddleburg.org | Tel: 540-687-8888 | Event Website](www.christmasinmiddleburg.org)

Come and get into the joyful spirit of the holidays in Virginia’s beautiful horse country as the Town of Middleburg celebrates Christmas on Saturday, December 7.

Address

Washington St.(Rt. 50); Middleburg, VA 20118

The Nutcracker – The Washington Ballet

December 7th, 2013 at 02:00 PM | 40 – 175 | info@washingtonballet.org | Tel: 202.362.3606 x605 | [Event Website](http://www.washingtonballet.org/

A holiday must-see! Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker transports you back in time to historic Washington with George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker. Glorious music, swirling snowflakes, magnificent sets and costumes have made this Nutcracker a DC tradition with raves from critics and sold-out crowds.

Address

The Warner Theatre; 513 13th St

A Service of Lessons & Carols for Advent

December 8th, 2013 at 05:00 PM | FREE | music.redeemer@verizon.net | Tel: 3012293770 | [Event Website](http://www.redeemerbethesda.org/music/documents/MARBrochure2013-14-Interior.pdf)

Modeled after the famed service held each year at King’s College, Cambridge, this festive liturgy, sung by the Redeemer’s Adult and Youth Choirs (Dr. Benjamin Hutchens, guest conductor), includes works by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Stanford Scriven, Richard Shephard, and Charles Wood. Reception to follow.

Address

6201 Dunrobbin Drive; Bethesda, MD 20816

Handel’s Messiah

December 8th, 2013 at 05:00 PM | Free | communications@nationalpres.org | Tel: 202-537-7553 | [Event Website](http://www.nationalpres.org/messiah)

The National Presbyterian Church Festival Choir & Orchestra present “Rejoice Greatly: Our Coming Savior in Handel’s Messiah.” No tickets required. A freewill offering will be received. A reception with light refreshments follows the performance. Ample free parking available; the campus is also easily accessible by public transportation via the Metro Red Line.
http://www.nationalpres.org/messiah

Address

The National Presbyterian Church; 4101 Nebraska Ave. NW

Holiday Teas at Tudor Place

December 10th, 2013 at 01:00 PM | $25-$30 | info@tudorplace.org | Tel: (202) 965-0400 | Event Website](http://www.tudorplace.org/calendar.html)

Enjoy a traditional Victorian tea complete with tea sandwiches, scones, delicious desserts and historic tea blends in a beautiful 1870s Georgetown house. After the tea join docents for guided tour through the 1816 National Historic Landmark mansion.

Address

1670 31st NW

Robert Devaney • December 6, 2013

Georgetown’s best-known Santa Claus is back on the rooftop of Jack Davies’s Prospect Street house, which overlooks the Potomac River, and welcoming all with a big “Merry Christmas” wave. It may your last chance to see him.

For several years, Davies has been putting up his 20-feet-tall, inflated Santa Claus on the back of his house with its grand vista of the Potomac River. Those entering D.C. from Virginia on Key Bridge easily see it, especially when it is illuminated at night. Davies — a philanthropist and businessman who is part owner of the Washington Capitals, Wizards and Mystics as well as founder of AOL International — said he is happy to bring a little yuletide cheer to people.

The rooftop of Davies’s house has something new this year: a for-sale sign on the railing. Yes, the house has been on the market since spring, and there is a good chance this will be the last time to view this not-so-secret Santa. (Perhaps it will convey to the new owner, if he wants to continue this new Georgetown Christmas tradition.)

And what about that Santa inflatable up on the deck? “The best $700 I ever spent,” Davies told the Georgetowner in 2011. As for that house at 3618 Prospect St., NW, check with Washington Fine Properties.

Mary Bird • December 2, 2013

A cavalcade of remembrances marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy came full circle to Georgetown Nov. 24, as Franco Nuschese and Café Milano hosted a private champagne brunch attended by the nation’s media. They were there to salute the publication of “Five Days in November,” a memoir by bestselling authors Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin. Hill is the Secret Service agent who jumped on the presidential limousine in Dallas and remained with Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and her children throughout the ordeal and one year after the tragedy. He chronicled the events as guests at the brunch viewed projections of the iconic photographs that appear in the book. A preliminary sketch and one of the 23 finished Kennedy paintings by Elaine de Kooning were on display. [gallery ids="101553,149352" nav="thumbs"]

Marie Loiseau • November 25, 2013

Secretary of State John Kerry, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former first lady Laura Bush gathered at Georgetown University Nov. 15 for “Advancing Afghan Women: Promoting Peace and Progress in Afghanistan.” They joined forces to speak to an overflowing Gaston Hall about the importance in continuing to support and assist the advancement of Afghan women.

The event kicked off with greetings from Georgetown University President John DeGioia, who showed a movie featuring real Afghan women sharing their success stories. The audience heard about girls having greater access to school than ever before and Afghan women becoming more prominent in the business world.

The video was followed by remarks by Clinton who, in addition to being a former first lady and former Secretary of State, is the U.S. Afghan Women’s Council honorary co-chair and a supporter of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace & Security.

Clinton spoke of the need for a society to engage all of its members. “Men and women are like two wings on the same bird,” she said. This became a reoccurring image throughout the program.

John Kerry, the 68th Secretary of State and supporter of the cause, took the stage after Clinton. He spoke of the many different levels of success that have been achieved in Afghanistan since 2001, and the terrible regression that would take place if efforts came to a halt. “What has been achieved is nothing less than remarkable,” he said. “It would have been more than a tragedy if the world ever allowed this progress to be threatened or, worse yet, to be abandoned.”

The crowd then heard from Anita Haidary, a young Afghan woman and co-founder of Young Women for Change. She spoke of growing up in Afghanistan, being an exchange student in California, her strides for change upon returning to her homeland, and the importance of advocating for Afghan women.

A conversation between Bush and Clinton then took place, moderated by Melanne Verveer, executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and former U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues. Bush and Clinton both voiced worries about the future of Afghanistan. “I fear that once our troops leave,” said Bush, “the eyes of Americans will move away.” Bush and Clinton say they’re going to continue to spread the word and make sure that, when American troops leave Afghanistan in 2014, the Afghan women will not be abandoned.

The speakers, Kerry especially, made it clear that each person in Gaston Hall could make a difference in the futures of Afghan women. Assistance and advocacy are not limited to prominent political figures, and everyone can help to ensure Afghan women have access to education and other life-improving opportunities. “Our responsibility is clear,” said Kerry. “We need to make sure that they succeed… And making that happen is going to take every single one of us.”

The event was put together by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, the George W. Bush Institute and the Alliance to Support the Afghan People.
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