Helen Wheelock's highlights from the WSF gala:
* Penny Marshall, comparing Hollywood events to the WSF, saying "This is an awards show and there is no collagen, no Botox. It's just women simply being who they are." For those who wonder about WNBA add campaigns that focus on the "feminine side" the dinner was a conundrum. Black tie (which, considering the population, was a slight oxymoron) meant athletes dressed-to-the-nines. It was so wonderful to see athletes of all different shapes looking so confident.
* L.L. Cool J saying, "There are amazing genetics in this room." That's the quote that's getting a lot of play, but it was amazing to see him facing a room of powerful women and acknowledging the fact that his industry, music, so often portrays women in a disrespectful manner. He seemed humbled -- and, in a way, shaken -- and it didn't feel like he was playin'.
* The Robin Roberts retrospective. Yeah, she looked stunning in her dress (the only fashion comment of the night) but you could tell how moved she was -- not just for the recognition she received from WSF, but because friends had joined together to donate money to the Go Girl Go initiative to help the children within her home town -- one of the many in Mississippi devastated by Hurrican Katrina. And did you know that her dad flew with the Tuskeegee Airmen of WWII? Talk about great genetics.
* Remember A League of Their Own? http://www.aagpbl.org/ A couple of members of the teams were there, lookin' fit as a fiddle and ready to play. Quite a sight to watch Tiny the shortstop (apologies, my actual knowledge of the players is sorely lacking) walking around after the dinner with an AAGBL t-shirt getting the autographs of other fabulous athletes. Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy were particularily gracious and careful with their signatures and their respect for all the AAGPBL had done. (ps Penny Marshall mentioned she's looking at doing a film about the Gallaudet team (http://athletics.gallaudet.edu/) that made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Couldn't convince her to do a League of their Own on the AAU teams of the 40's and 50's. sigh. )
* Best line (video) moment: Yuliana Perez was awarded with the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award. A triple jumper, she was going to compete for Cuba in the Olympics, but when it was discovered she was a US citizen, she was removed from the team becaue she wouldn't renounce her US citizenship. Arriving in Arizona, she was waitressing when she encountered a track coach. On the video tape honoring Yuliana, the coach recalls asking her how far she could jump. "(insert large number here) in meters," was her response. "That was," said the coach, "seven feet further than our school record." Needless to say, Yuliana was enrolled in school and competed in the Athens Olympics.
* Perez follow-up moment. After conquering her nerves and accepting her award with a wonderful speech, she exited the stage. Leaving her award on the podium. Lights start to fade to black, you catch a glimpse of Yuliana leaning in from off-stage to snag the glass statue and say, with a grin into the mike, "This is mine."
* Wow moments: Alana Beard and her new haircut. Chantelle Anderson...she is TALL. How is it that I forget that?. Those soccer players... clearly I must think they're larger than life, because as I looked at them I kept thinking, how is it possible that they're so small. Teresa Edwards. Class, class and more class. Martina Navratilova. Talk about getting the last laugh on all those who were so cruel to her early in her career. It's hard to think of an active athlete who is more respected or admired.
* The Imedla Marcos award goes to Martina (something in an ankle cut boot with silvery mosaic-like appliques), Penny Marshal (mirrored sneakers) and Diana Taurasi (post dinner practical) - tan sneakers (I'm sure the fashionistas will know the brand) to color coordinate with her elegant brown dress.
* Hobnobbing. I'm sorry, but walking through the lobby post-dinner was like... like nothing else I can imagine. There was Ann Meyers (not in Dodger blue?!) talking to Diana Nyad, and behind her was Mia Hamm talking to Brandi Chastain, Billie Jean King talking to Martina Navratilova, Sue Wicks talking to... well, you get the picture. It was a great chance to talk - actually talk - with some of your heroines. Or, simply say thank you. Just think, YOU could be there next year. Just volunteer!!
* Penny Marshall, comparing Hollywood events to the WSF, saying "This is an awards show and there is no collagen, no Botox. It's just women simply being who they are." For those who wonder about WNBA add campaigns that focus on the "feminine side" the dinner was a conundrum. Black tie (which, considering the population, was a slight oxymoron) meant athletes dressed-to-the-nines. It was so wonderful to see athletes of all different shapes looking so confident.
* L.L. Cool J saying, "There are amazing genetics in this room." That's the quote that's getting a lot of play, but it was amazing to see him facing a room of powerful women and acknowledging the fact that his industry, music, so often portrays women in a disrespectful manner. He seemed humbled -- and, in a way, shaken -- and it didn't feel like he was playin'.
* The Robin Roberts retrospective. Yeah, she looked stunning in her dress (the only fashion comment of the night) but you could tell how moved she was -- not just for the recognition she received from WSF, but because friends had joined together to donate money to the Go Girl Go initiative to help the children within her home town -- one of the many in Mississippi devastated by Hurrican Katrina. And did you know that her dad flew with the Tuskeegee Airmen of WWII? Talk about great genetics.
* Remember A League of Their Own? http://www.aagpbl.org/ A couple of members of the teams were there, lookin' fit as a fiddle and ready to play. Quite a sight to watch Tiny the shortstop (apologies, my actual knowledge of the players is sorely lacking) walking around after the dinner with an AAGBL t-shirt getting the autographs of other fabulous athletes. Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy were particularily gracious and careful with their signatures and their respect for all the AAGPBL had done. (ps Penny Marshall mentioned she's looking at doing a film about the Gallaudet team (http://athletics.gallaudet.edu/) that made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Couldn't convince her to do a League of their Own on the AAU teams of the 40's and 50's. sigh. )
* Best line (video) moment: Yuliana Perez was awarded with the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award. A triple jumper, she was going to compete for Cuba in the Olympics, but when it was discovered she was a US citizen, she was removed from the team becaue she wouldn't renounce her US citizenship. Arriving in Arizona, she was waitressing when she encountered a track coach. On the video tape honoring Yuliana, the coach recalls asking her how far she could jump. "(insert large number here) in meters," was her response. "That was," said the coach, "seven feet further than our school record." Needless to say, Yuliana was enrolled in school and competed in the Athens Olympics.
* Perez follow-up moment. After conquering her nerves and accepting her award with a wonderful speech, she exited the stage. Leaving her award on the podium. Lights start to fade to black, you catch a glimpse of Yuliana leaning in from off-stage to snag the glass statue and say, with a grin into the mike, "This is mine."
* Wow moments: Alana Beard and her new haircut. Chantelle Anderson...she is TALL. How is it that I forget that?. Those soccer players... clearly I must think they're larger than life, because as I looked at them I kept thinking, how is it possible that they're so small. Teresa Edwards. Class, class and more class. Martina Navratilova. Talk about getting the last laugh on all those who were so cruel to her early in her career. It's hard to think of an active athlete who is more respected or admired.
* The Imedla Marcos award goes to Martina (something in an ankle cut boot with silvery mosaic-like appliques), Penny Marshal (mirrored sneakers) and Diana Taurasi (post dinner practical) - tan sneakers (I'm sure the fashionistas will know the brand) to color coordinate with her elegant brown dress.
* Hobnobbing. I'm sorry, but walking through the lobby post-dinner was like... like nothing else I can imagine. There was Ann Meyers (not in Dodger blue?!) talking to Diana Nyad, and behind her was Mia Hamm talking to Brandi Chastain, Billie Jean King talking to Martina Navratilova, Sue Wicks talking to... well, you get the picture. It was a great chance to talk - actually talk - with some of your heroines. Or, simply say thank you. Just think, YOU could be there next year. Just volunteer!!
posted by Ted at 10:50 AM
