Last night I went to the Wortham Center with a friend from Rice to hear Elizabeth Edwards speak. The event was sponsored by The Progressive Forum, an organization in Houston "whose aim is to enrich our democracy and culture by presenting the great minds who we believe are moving humanity and life towards success, speakers from all the fields of human endeavor—the sciences and humanities as well as politics and public affairs. " Some of the past speakers have been Molly Ivins, Garrison Keillor, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Al Gore.
Edwards spoke for about 45 minutes about her life as a breast cancer survivor and about the support she received, and continues to receive, from her family, friends, and strangers who reached out to her after her diagnosis. She talked about her children, including her son Wade who died in a car accident when he was in high school, and about her relationship with her husband, John Edwards.
After speaking, she answered some questions from the audience including a few about politics and the 2008 presidential race.
It was a wonderful event and has made me want to read her book Saving Graces and also to attend future events sponsored by the Progressive Forum. Here is a link to their website:http://www.progressiveforumhouston.org/
I took the two picture with my brand new digital camera. This was the first time I had tried using it and I obviously need some practice.
8 comments:
Thanks for this post. Can you elaborate more about her thoughts on the 2008 race?
Dear Benny06,
She didn't talk about it too much. The emphasis was on her health and family. Someone asked her which candidate has the best health care plan and she said HRC because it will require every American to have coverage. She also answered a question about why her husband came out in support of Obama. She wasn't asked and never did say who she was supporting. She took a few little jabs at McCain but really wasn't too negative. She talked about the difference between socialized medicine and universal health care and why it is wrong when people (mostly R's) try to equate the two. I'm hoping the Progressive Forum will post a link to a video of the talk or sell a DVD. I didn't mention this in the blog but before she flew to Houston on Wednesday morning, she had undergone chemotherapy treatments. I was amazed as I sure everyone else was in the audience, by her stamina.
Thanks very much. I see that she was on Larry King Live too last night for a few minutes, and she looked great. And she had chemo before flying to Houston, she is one tough fighter. Her brother Jay used to say that any disease should be afraid of Elizabeth Edwards.
I wish she could have been our next First Lady. She would have been a good one.
Enjoy Saving Graces and be certain to get the updated one. However, be prepared to have some tissues when reading the chapter on Wade's death. I don't have children of my own, and even I needed them when I read that chapter.
Benny06,
My friend just sent me a link to Larry King. We are both wondering how she managed that. She is in the same outfit so presumably she recorded it yesterday too.
After hearing her speak last night I was wondering why she didn't run for president. She seems smarter than just about everyone else out there. Of course her health would be a problem now.
I needed tissues last night so I'm pretty sure I will need them when I read the book.
Thanks for your comments.
May I use the first picture for my blog(s)? It's wonderful.
Sure. Thanks.
Hey fdm --
I remember getting an email about E.E. coming to Houston, but I list track of the date. I probably wouldn't have gone because I am a huge cry baby -- it's embarrassing.
I'm glad you went, though. A few of us went to hear Al Gore when he was the speaker. It was GREAT. The Progressive Forum has had a lot of interesting speakers -- I should get it together and go next time.
I cried and I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one. The tickets were free through Rice. I hope they will give out more for the other speakers.
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