STAR POWER
Actress Molly Ringwald tops annual Speaker in the City event
Actress Molly Ringwald is featured speaker for Junior League's Speaker in the City series
American actress, musician and writer Molly Ringwald will be the featured speaker for Junior League of Oklahoma City's annual Speaker in the City series at 1 p.m. March 24 at the Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein Ave. The afternoon will begin with a reception with cocktails and snacks, a photo booth and live music followed by Ringwald's appearance at 2 p.m. “Molly Ringwald is relevant to so many different generations, so many different people, in our community,” said Sarah Frank, Speaker in the City co-chair. Ringwald will speak on her life and the challenges of being a teen star, to evolving into a mature adult with diverse interests and life roles. “As a teenager she was doing these very adult things,” Frank said. “How do you weather the storm of being an icon of '80s cinema to becoming a wife, mother, actress, singer and author.” The event format will be an hourlong, moderated, conversation where Ringwald will take questions from the audience, Frank said. Ringwald made her film debut as a child in Paul Mazursky's “Tempest,” and went on to become a cultural
icon for her roles in the John Hughes directed cultclassics “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink.” Her credits since have grown in both number and genre. Ringwald took to the stage in Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning production, “How I learned to Drive” and in 2013 released the jazz album, “Except Sometimes.” Most recently, she starred in the Netflix film, “The Kissing Booth” and currently can be seen on the CW hit series, “Riverdale.” The Golden Globe nominee penned national bestsellers, “Getting the Pretty Back” and “When it Happens to You.” In 2018, Ringwald authored a viral piece discussing her iconic roles within the scope of the #MeToo movement for The New Yorker. “Molly Ringwald continues to be modern and relevant. She transcends generations inspiring women with her trademark candor and girl-next-door style,” said Pam Campbell, president of the Junior League of Oklahoma City. “We wanted to give the community an opportunity to get involved. So, Speaker in the City is a great fit to bring a different person each year, to bring a different conversation each year to keep that thought-provoking conversation going.” Proceeds from the event will go to community programs sponsored by the Junior League of Oklahoma City. Speaker in the City is open to the public. Individual general admission tickets to the event can be purchased for $50 and are available at www.SpeakerInTheCity.org. A VIP-level experience is available for $150 and gives ticket holders access to an exclusive reception and book signing with Ringwald, immediately after the event.