As I indicated in Part 1, those poltergeists didn’t stop with thwarting my seeing Eudora Welty. Oh, no!
A few years later I took a trip to the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, Tennessee, with my two close friends and colleagues in the English Department at our small college. Although I was able to attend numerous sessions, I particularly wanted to hear Gloria Steinem.
To that end, I left a session early to traipse to the location for Steinem’s appearance. I even sat through most of an earlier session on some topics in which I had absolutely zero interest just so I’d be early enough to nab a seat. At first able to sit only on the back row of the rather large auditorium, I eventually wormed my way up front, inching ever closer as people trickled out of the session. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, I must have moved up six or seven times.
Finally, I won the prize: a front row seat! I’d be able to see, to hear, and possibly even to get Steinem’s autograph. I was so tickled!
But, of course, those poltergeists were at it again: Just as it came the point in the program for Steinem to appear, another speaker took the podium and announced, “Unfortunately, Ms. Steinem has had to cancel because of illness.” Why was I even surprised?
And, yes, there’s more–much more….
Here’s one of those friends and colleagues posting. This one snagged a Welty autograph! Enjoying your blog already.
I cannot believe this!!! She got sick? And couldn’t speak? A ‘real’ professional would have taken the podium—”the show must go on”…and all that. Didn’t she know YOU were expectantly awaiting her words of wisdom???
Actually, I was ‘trained’ early to NOT heed a word Gloria has to say, but secretly, I would have gone to hear her too. I’ve always found her to be interesting and I like to see what comes out of her mouth. I am by no means, a feminist. But I do believe every woman has something of value to contribute, in the ocean of words out there. Awaiting the continuation of your story.
In Steinem’s defense, I don’t think she’d even made it to Nashville because of illness. That festival is really rather large with tons of sessions, so it’s not as if she were the only speaker. (There might have been others even at that particular session, though I don’t remember for certain.) Too, since advance registration wasn’t required, there’d be no way of notifying folks. [However, she should have just known I was awaiting her words!]
Her impact in the 1960s & 70s–including being a co-founder & editor for MS Magazine–made me want to see her.
I completely agree with your statement that “every woman has something of value to contribute”!–in “the ocean of words out there” & otherwise.