FAMOUS LADIES
Actresses portray historical figures at fundraiser
TROY, N.Y. » Seven females from throughout women’s history were featured at the Famous Ladies’ Tea on Sunday in Troy.
The event, held each year during Women’s History Month, is a unique fundraising effort by the Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County.
The sixth annual Famous Ladies’ Tea, which took place on Sunday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, drew approximately 90 event-goers.
The afternoon luncheon program included presentations by local actresses portraying famous ladies Marie Curie, Ruth Desmond, Nellie Bly, Alice Hamilton, Sybil Ludington, Kate Field, and the biblical Martha.
These seven women represent pioneering journalists, religious figures, pres- ervationists, Nobel prize winners, toxicologists, advocates and even war heroes.
“This afternoon you’ll be meeting some very remarkable women, each with their own perspective and personality,” Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County board president Caitlin Stein-Miner said to the crowd before the program began.
Stein- Miner also explained how the organization, now in its 50th anniversary year, was founded by women Leslie Dickin Burr and Joan Rumball Winhold. “I believe they would be proud of the work that has been done in their legacy,” she said.
The Famous Ladies’ Tea helps further the Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County’s mission of teaching people to read, write and speak English, empowering students to be advocates for themselves and educating the larger
The Famous Ladies’ Tea helps further the Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County’s mission of teaching people to read, write and speak English, empowering students to be advocates for themselves and educating the larger community about literacy issues.
community about literacy issues.
“I think it’s a great for a great cause, and I’m a tea
drinker,” said attendee Marie Gavazzi, who most enjoyed learning about the Famous Ladies she knew least of before the event.
“I love learning about the history,” said another attendee Patty Persell, who’s been coming to the Fa-
mous Ladies’ Tea for about four years. Often after the event, she’s intrigued to research even more about the women. “You feel like you’re meeting them. I love it.”
Others at Persell’s table, all friends of Susan Perkins who helped start the local event, said they’re fascinated with the costumes, like partaking in the raffles and enjoy the tea luncheon as well as contributing to a worthy cause.
The audience on Sunday was mostly women, with a few men mixed in, along with some young girls.
During her presentation Joan Fuess, acting as journalist and preservationist Katie Field, told the crowd to great applause: “Women can go anywhere and do anything.”
This message was proven through the several presentations of admirable, trailblazing women from throughout history. All proceeds from this event will benefit Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County, which depends on income from special events to support free programs and services for adults and children in greater Rensselaer County.
More information about the Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County programs and upcoming events can be found online at www.lvorc.org.