Clinton Township Newsletter

2 1 o c t o b e r 2 0 2 4 W o m e n ' s F o r u m – s H a r i n g W i s D o m FALL GLORIOUS FALL!!! Dear Ladies, "Reinvention" is a concept that has become very popular in our culture. At our previous event we witnessed how Ralph Lauren was in the process of reinventing himself right from childhood and would eventually arrive at a style which is uniquely American, uniquely his, and universally coveted and copied. Over the years, other pop culture icons have self-created before our eyes. Phenomenons such as Madonna and Lady Gaga have gone to great heights as self-invented personas. In their case, talent was a lot more than being able to sing a song. Google defines reinvention as "...the action or process through which something is changed so much that it appears to be entirely new". It's everywhere with shelves full of self-help books, online programming and ubiquitous advertising encouraging us to become better versions of ourselves. Our topic for the month of October 2024 is a story that is at once uplifting but with some pretty sad undertones. We will learn about a formidable woman, playing in the big leagues of affluence and culture, extraordinarily successful on many fronts, all the while harboring a secret that could have toppled her world and that of her family. Belle Greener, with the help of a good education, intelligent and sophisticated parents, a comfortable address of origin in Washington DC among the "Colored Elite" of the day, would be (through a decision made solely by her mother) reinvented into Belle da Costa Greene - a white woman. Miss Greene was beautiful, elegant, savvy and in the right place at the right time. It was the combination of these factors that led to the job interview that would change her life. Enter JP Morgan. With her brilliance and moxie, Belle helped the Titan of the Gilded Age realize his dream of becoming the most renowned patron of art in the world. As his personal librarian she was responsible for amassing a great library of incunabula and a priceless collection of art which would reside at the Morgan Library and immortalize JP Morgan on yet another level. Belle became a highly respected figure in the international art community and a fixture of prominence in NY society. All this while passing for white because as a woman of color, she wouldn't have stood a chance. A question - Which is the more important story? Belle's accomplishment as creator, curator and director of the Morgan Library as we know it today? Or, Belle's accomplishment to breathe and triumph in the rarified air that would surely have been denied her (had she not been reinvented) at that time and place in history? At our luncheon on October 31, we'll discuss this question and many more in a program with our own WF Literary Maven, Nancy Harms. Many of us have read the popular historical novel, The Personal Librarian, and our curiosity was piqued by Belle's story. Nancy has researched far beyond this telling, reaching deeper into the fundamentals - background and history - of this extraordinary woman's life. Luncheon with Belle, Thursday, October 31 at noon. Dillon Library, Bedminster NJ. Admission $20. To register see below. For our second event in October, WF travels to the Morgan Library in NYC to experience the wonder of this monument created by JP Morgan and Belle da Costa Greene and to see a special exhibit in her honor. Trip to Morgan Library, Thursday October 24, leaving Dillon Library in Bedminster NJ at 9am. Return pickup at the Morgan 3pm. Admission 45. Does not include entry to the library/museum. To register see below. Upcoming dates for WF : November 7 & 21. To register contact us at: womensforumusa@gmail.com Looking forward to a beautiful, beguiling and bewitching October. Evelyn Breheney Glynn, Founder/Director Women's Forum m a n e s t r e a m ' s g a l a s p o t l i g H t s p a r t i c i p a n t ' s a c c o m p l i s H m e n t s Prepare to be whisked away into the heart of the jungle at the anticipated EQUUS XXXII gala, themed "Wild at Heart" held at Hamilton Farm Golf Club on November 2! An enchanting evening awaits attendees, promising elegance and excitement inspired by the theme. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in this memorable experience while supporting a noble cause, Mane Stream. This year, the event will shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of Adaptive Rider, Owen Confer. Starting therapy at Mane Stream as a preschooler because he was not meeting developmental milestones due to an autism-spectrum diagnosis, Owen, now 18, proudly showcases his ability to canter a horse over small jumps, much to the delight of his parents. "He has come a long way and he is picking up speed" states Owen's mother Suzy. Guests can savor themed cocktails and mocktails, relish in culinary delights, dance the night away, and engage in spirited live and silent auctions featuring exclusive experiences and adventures for bidding. For those unable to attend, there are multiple ways to show support. Donations can be made to Mane Stream to impact therapy clients, adaptive riders, summer campers, and the horses. Additionally, individuals can participate in the silent auction from home, bidding on a diverse range of exciting items from vacation getaways to thrilling experiences. Proceeds from the gala will directly benefit Mane Stream's therapy services and adaptive riding programs, designed to enrich the lives of children and adults with special needs in the community. By participating in EQUUS XXXII, attendees provide life-changing opportunities for growth, empowerment, and joy to those in need. F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n about Wild at Heart-EQUUS or any of Mane Stream's equine related programs for children and adults with special needs, please contact Jen Dermody a t : j e n @ m a n e s t r e a m n j . o r g o r : 9 0 8 . 4 3 9 . 9 6 3 6 o r v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e a t : w w w . ManeStreamNJ.org. About Mane Stream: Mane Stream is a non-profit registered charitable organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional, and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine assisted activities, therapy services, and educational initiatives. Mane Stream is designated as a Premier Accredited Center of PATH - Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International, which provides education, accreditation, and resources for the equine assisted activities industry. We are excited to spotlight 18-year-old, Owen Confer of Branchburg, who has come a long way and is picking up speed after twelve years at Mane Stream. n J W o m e n s o n g NJWOMENSONG is a non-profit women's chorus offering local singers the opportunity to enrich their lives and the broader community by sharing music that uplifts and inspires. We sing pieces of many genres from sacred to pop, traditional to Broadway, often written by female composers, and emphasizing the joy that music brings to our lives. Love singing? Women aged 18 and older are welcome to join NJWOMENSONG for the Fall 2024 Season. Choral experience is not necessary, and a brief vocal assessment will help to place you in your appropriate voice part. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:30 pm at Hunterdon Central Regional High School. Email: njwomensong@gmail.com for more information and to schedule your assessment. Join us!

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