2015 Honoree

Hélène Grimaud

Classical Concert Pianist

“What is the best approach to shift power over women’s bodies to women? More female politicians and a female pope!”

Who inspires you the most?

Simone Weil.

What do you now know about yourself that you wish you knew ten/fifteen/twenty years ago?

That I am a cowgirl at heart.

Fill in the blank: You can never have enough _______.

Empathy.

What city best describes your personality?

New York.

What gets you through even the toughest days and what are you most grateful for?

Love, my animals, and good health.

What socio-political women’s issue do you care about the most? Do you feel that women are typically presented fairly in the media? Why or why not?

Education and domestic violence. Certainly more and more so…!

Although there is supposed to be a separation between Church & State, religion still seems to govern many political decisions regarding women–abortions, birth control, etc.–usually from men. What is the best approach to shift power over women¹s bodies to women?

More female politicians and a female pope!

What is your best read? Favorite character you would most like to be?

Scientific papers on field biology and ecology ZORRO.

What will it take for women to be viewed as equal to men? Are sexist jokes problematic, and how do you feel about people¹s view that women should just “lighten up” about them? Do women really want to be viewed as equal to men?

Self confidence and enough humor to ignore it or retaliate!

What was your best decision to date? Worst decision?

To be myself. Not to listen to my instinct.

Within the past few years, social media has exploded. How can women use it to market themselves without seeming narcissistic?

Why should we even worry about this? Such questions are what makes us self conscious about being women! Just be proud of it!

Write a fortune you’d like for all women to receive in a fortune cookie.

Be yourself no matter what they say.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

To be invisible.