Success can be achieved by having fun, helping others, and being willing to ask others to join you in your endeavors (and saying, “Yes,” when others ask you to join them). That’s the message I took away from the ceremony I attended on Saturday, November 9th, when Kathi Kamen Goldmark was given the 2008 WNBA Award by the National Women’s Book Association. She not only won this award, which has been given to other women notable women like Barbara Bush and Eleanor Roosevelt, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom declared November 9th Kathi Kamen Goldmark Day forever more. Pretty impressive.
As I listened to the variety of speakers, including Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club, speak about Kathi’s career escorting authors around San Francisco and the money she has raised (more than $1.5 million) for literacy with the Rock Bottom Remainders, her rock band of best-selling authors, they all spoke of how much fun she is and how much she has helped others. Her motto or slogan, said Tan, was “Hey, do you wanna…?” If Kathi’s story provides a indicator of how to become successful, I’d say offer people a chance to have fun, show up in a big way, and help others while doing so. (And don’t forget to say, “Yes,” if someone like her says, “Hey, do you wanna….?” If nothing else, you’ll have some fun and help someone along the way.)
It seems Kathi provides us with the perfect example of how to become successful, and the speakers — Kathi included — offered the audience (mostly consisting of writers) inspiration to go out and follow in her footsteps. I know I left that award ceremony believing that if we take our dreams and pursue them with joy and passion and a desire to give to others people will want to join us, will want to help us make them into realities. But we have to be willing to play big. We have to be willing to move through our fears. (As Tan shared, not being able to sing provides little reason not to provide lead vocals in a band. Anyone can do it for a good cause and with the right attitude.) That’s how Kathi Kamen Goldmark raised $1.5 million dollars for literacy and ended up with an award and a day named after her.
Hey, do you wanna follow her lead?
Nina Amir is a seasoned journalist, nonfiction editor, author, consultant, and writing coach with almost 30 years of experience in the publishing field. She has edited or written for more than 45 publications, and her essays have been published in five anthologies and can be found in numerous e-zines and Internet article directories. One of her client’s books
was self-published and then purchased and re-released verbatim by Simon & Schuster and another won the 1998 Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Award (Inspirational category) and has sold over 100,000 copies to date. She also is the founder of Write Nonfiction in November.
www.purespiritcreations.com/wordpress/
Click the photos to see full picture!
-
- Effie Lee and Kathi Kamen Goldmark
-
- Mary Knippel, Amy Tan, Kathi Kamen Goldmark
-
- Laurie Beckelman,Amy Tan, Kathi Kamen Goldmark,Nancy Kelly, Joan Gelfand celebrating Kathi’s special day and awards.
-
- Michael Larson, Nina Amir, Linda Lee
-
- WNBA members and guests enjoying food and fun in honor of Kathi Kamen Goldmark
-
- The beautiful Century Club in San Francisco, Ca
-
- Ben Fong Torres and Elizabeth Pomada
-
- Sam Barry, Linda Lee
Some photos of our evening, more coming!
I appreciate all the praise given to Kathi, but I must say you left out a few attributes.
She is one of the most thoughtful and caring persons in the world — to say nothing of her incredible creativity and delightful imagination. As someone close to her said recently, “She lights up a room when she enters.” And of course I’m not prejudiced just because she’s my daughter! :}
Betty Kamen
Hi Betty,
It was a delight to have you at the award ceremony.
As soon as I get more photos, I will be sure to add you to our gallery.
Thank you for leaving your lovely comment about your daughter.
She is a lucky girl to have such a supportive mom like you!
Linda Lee
Co-President WNBA-SF
Inspiring and delightful event.
Thank you!!