“Women of Courage”
August 31-Sept. 1, 2021
Church of the Big Wood
The Alturas Institute will hold its seventh annual “Conversations with Exceptional Women,” featuring extraordinary leaders gathered from across the nation for a two-day convening to celebrate “Women of Courage”—past and present. The event will be held at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Tickets are available for purchase at alturasinstitute.com.
“Our theme will focus on the efforts of courageous women to achieve their goals and missions, undaunted by the threats to cease their pursuits,” Dr. David Adler, president of The Alturas Institute, said.
This year’s event will pay special tribute to the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was scheduled to be the lead speaker at the 2020 edition of “Conversations with Exceptional Women.” Justice Ginsburg’s granddaughter, Clara Spera, a prominent young lawyer-activist working on behalf of women’s reproductive rights, will participate in this event, reminisce about life with her grandmother and receive from The Alturas Institute the John and Abigail Adams Award, presented posthumously to Justice Ginsburg. The John and Abigail Adams Award recognizes work advancing women’s rights and equal protection of the law.
Some of the other exceptional women presenting include:
Annette Gordon-Reed, Harvard law professor and historian, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, and author of several books, including the new work, published to critical acclaim, “Juneteenth.”
Elizabeth Becker, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, author of several books, including the recently published, “You Don’t Belong Here,” which tells the story of three female journalists who faced high hurdles in their efforts to report on the Vietnam War, and whose work raised journalist standards.
Jody Williams, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her vision and leadership in persuading the international community to ban landmines, author of several books and a lifelong activist.
Dorothy Wickenden, executive editor of The New Yorker magazine since 1996, author of several books, including the recently released and widely praised work, “The Antagonists,” which tells the story of women who fought for abolition and the civil rights of women.
Judy Batalion, acclaimed author of the new book, “The Light of Days,” which tells the previously untold story of women who fought against Hitler and the Nazis in Poland.
Dr. Lara Brown, professor of political science at George Washington University, director of the Graduate School of Political Management, national political commentator, and author of books on the American Presidency, including, “Jockeying for the American Presidency” and “Amateur Hour: Presidential Character and the Question of Leadership.”
Toni L. Coleman Carter, author of “When Trouble Finds You,” chief inclusion and collaborator officer at the Idaho National Laboratory, first Black member and deputy mayor for the village of Hanover Park, Illinois.
Cherie Buckner-Webb, former member of the Idaho Legislature, and Idaho’s first elected African American state legislator, and its first African American woman legislator.
Naomi McDougall-Jones, award-winning screen writer, actor, director and producer, and author of the recent book, published to critical acclaim, “The Wrong Kind of Women: Inside Our Revolution to Dismantle the Gods of Hollywood.”
Visit alturasinstitute.com for more information.
