This afternoon, I was lucky enough to attended the 25th Amelia Earhart Award Luncheon honoring Boston’s own Barbara Lynch, one of America’s leading chefs and restaurateurs. Her success epitomizes the pioneering spirit and barrier-breaking career of Amelia Earhart.
Here I am with “chef” Amelia Earhart! 
About the Award:
In 1926, Amelia Earhart came to The Women’s Union for employment assistance and was placed as a social worker in a Boston immigrant settlement house. At the same time she continued to pursue her interest in flying, and in 1928, this former Union client became the first woman to cross the Atlantic in an airplane.
The Amelia Earhart Award was established in 1982 to recognize a woman who continues the pioneering spirit of Amelia Earhart. Each year, the award honors a woman who has significantly contributed to the expansion of opportunities for women.
Past Honorees include:
- Suze Orman (2008)
- Marian Wright Edelman (2003)
- Ruth Simmons (2002)
- Liz Walker (2001)
- Julia Child (1999)
- Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith (1987)
About Crittenton Women’s Union:
Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU), a Boston-based nonprofit organization, combines direct service programs, independent research and public policy advocacy in its mission to transform the course of low-income women’s lives so that they can attain economic independence and create better futures for themselves and their families. Each year CWU helps more than 1,600 people through its safe housing, education and training programs, and family support services. For more information, visit www.liveworkthrive.org.
After registering for the event and receiving our table assignment, my sister and I headed into an enormous ballroom where the event was to be held.
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There were 74 tables at the event! According to my calculations, approximately 740 people attended the luncheon this afternoon. I actually overheard someone say that almost 1,000 people were in attendance! It was quite the event!
The people at our table included a number of women from various public health organizations around the city. There was also another food blogger at the table! I chatted with the Finance Foodie before the event started.
The lunch served was baked salmon, green beans, and potatoes on a bed of greens. All of it was delicious. I liked that the meal was simply prepared without all of the extras (sauces, seasoning, etc.). I ate about half of the food on my plate because I was saving room for dessert! 
The highlight of lunch was the strawberry-rhubarb crumble. It was basically a fruit crisp, but portioned into a single serving. The shape reminded me of a tart.
On top was half of a fresh strawberry dusted with confectionary sugar.
Inside was a sweet, chunky strawberry and rhubarb filling. Holy yum!
With dessert, I enjoyed a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
About Barbara Lynch:
One of the country’s leading chefs and restaurateurs, James Beard Award-winner Barbara Lynch first gained fame with her highly acclaimed restaurant No. 9 Park,named one of America’s top 50 restaurants in 2006 by Gourmet. Over the last ten years, she has expanded her Boston-based Barbara Lynch Gruppo to include B&G Oysters, The Butcher Shop, Plum Produce, Stir, 9 at Home, Drink, and Sportello. In fall 2009, Houghton Mifflin will publish Barbara’s first cookbook.
Before Barbara Lynch graciously accepted her award, we watched a brief video about how she overcame poverty and social stigma in a male-dominated industry to become one of the top chefs and restaurateurs in the nation. Her story is one of true optimism and hope.
My favorite piece of wisdom from her acceptance speech: “If you want something bad enough, you can talk yourself out of being scared.”
In addition to being an amazing cook and entrepreneur, Barbara Lynch also has a great sense of humor! The CWU presented her with an authentic Amelia Earhart flight cap and goggles, and just for kicks, she put them on for the audience to see! It was actually pretty hilarious!
My sister and I had a wonderful time at the luncheon this afternoon! I truly enjoyed being part of this event and learning more about the organization that hosted it. Thank you, Lucy and the Crittenton Women’s Union, for inviting us!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
What a cool event!! How great that you got to experience it, and I’m so glad the food was good!
what a fun event! added bonus that the food was yummy, too!
looks like a great event, and it’s fantastic to see so many people supporting a great cause. and strawberry rhubarb crumble?? SIGN ME UP FOR THAT!
how exciting! everything looks awesome – fun that you got to go with your sister.
The rhubarb looks great. I love your necklace too!
That looks like an incredible event!
What a great reason to celebrate a woman! I loveee the Amelia Earhart goggles/cap! So cute.
What a fantastic event, you’re so lucky for having been able to go!
Sounds like a good way to spend an afternoon
she sounds like an amazing woman! great event
Love the piece of wisdom you shared! You were so lucky to have attended this great luncheon!
I love the Crittenton Women’s Union! I’ve heard so much about them through my public policy and organizing classes. So cool you got to attend the event!
What a great event!
so fun, dessert definetly looks worth saving room for!
That sounds like such a fun event! I love any social gathering involving food and feminists!
p.s. I was so excited to see that your husband went to UVM and loved it!! No one here in California knows what it is/I don’t know anyone who’s gone there, so hearing that your hubby enjoyed himself got me so excited for next year!! woopwoooop!
Love your necklace!
that is sooooooooooooooo cool you got to be apart of that!
very exciting! I love your necklace too!
Great write up and awesome to meet you in person! Barbara was a really entertaining speaker
What was interesting is that the rumored Army Intelligence report about Amelia was unveiled over this weekend. THe Archison libray bought two copies.
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