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A prominent member of
the Kennedy family is coming to Charleston to launch a new series
of lectures sponsored by the Center for Women, a local nonprofit
that promotes excellence and provides professional services to
women in the Lowcountry.
Kathleen Kennedy
Townsend, former two-term lieutenant governor of Maryland, author
and lecturer, and eldest daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy,
will talk about her new book, "Failing America's Faithful:
How Today's Churches are Mixing God With Politics and Losing their
Way." It is the first presentation in the center's
"Women of Influence Series."
"Townsend's
insight comes from her extensive experience in the corridors of
power, both inside and outside of government, as well as her own
personal story of faith and her family's commitment to social
justice," according to Center for Women Executive Director
Jennet Robinson Alterman.
The two women met
at the Aspen Institute last summer, where Townsend spoke about her
family and the need for a dialogue on the intersection of faith
and politics, Alterman said.
"She offered
to come to Charleston and share her views with women here,"
Alterman said. "Her example is critical for us as South
Carolina is currently 50th in the nation in terms of women elected
to the Legislature."
Townsend worked in
the U.S. Department of Justice before becoming Maryland's
lieutenant governor. She has taught at Georgetown University and
the University of Pennsylvania.
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The center's
chairwoman, Susan Romaine, said planning for the new series began
late last year with the idea of bringing influential women to
Charleston for lectures, discussion and conversation.
"All women are
women of influence," Romaine said. "Every day, we have
everlasting influence over those in our lives in our many roles as
mothers, wives, daughters, co-workers. Some women, either by
choice or by accident, exert an influence beyond their immediate
reach and have impact at the national and international
level."
The mission of the
Center for Women is to help women in the Lowcountry succeed
personally and professionally. Monthly programs and support
services include educational seminars for small-business
entrepreneurs, personal-development workshops, art exhibits, book
signings, legal clinics, individual counseling, support groups and
resource referrals.
"Since opening
in 1990, we have served over 75,000 women in the Lowcountry,"
Alterman said. In 2006, the center received a $25,000 grant from
Oprah Winfrey. The year before, the center received an Excellence
in Management Award from the S.C. Association of Nonprofit
Organizations.
The Women of
Influence series is co-sponsored by Anne Frances Bleecker, Esther
Ferguson, Nikki Hardin, Charlene Harris, Ann Gregorie Kulze, Linda
Plunkett, Harriet Rigney, Susan Romaine, Karen Siegel and Dorothea
Walker.
Townsend will
speak at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Colonial Room of the Francis
Marion Hotel. Registration is required at www.c4women.org
or by calling 763-7333. The cost is $50 for
center members and $60 for nonmembers.
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