The biggest “Booked for the Evening” crowd in its 25-year history loved Thursday’s event.
Tennis star and human rights icon Billie Jean King was honored by the Westport Library. ESPN journalist (and Westport resident) Chris McKendry and Chris Evert shared the stage, for an illuminating and insightful hour of conversation.
The program began with a compelling video by Westporter Doug Tirola. It traced King’s life and legacy, in a way that surprised and delighted even her.
But the Library produced another video too. It did not get as many views as Tirola’s.
It sure deserves too.
In recognition of King’s “Battle of the Sexes” — the 1973 exhibition in which she defeated Bobby Riggs in 3 straight sets — Library digital strategist Ashley Hyde, and her social media cohort Kerri Gawreluk, collaborated on a recreation.
This one was 2024-style. And the setting was not the Houston Astrodome, but the Westport Library.
Kerri — a lifelong Billie Jean fan, feminist and activist — was cast as King. Ashley played Riggs. (Both certainly looked the part.)
On the right: Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, 51 years ago. Left: Bobby and Billie Jean, in 2024.
Game on!
With Kerri taking the concept to its library extreme, the pair engaged in 4 competitions: speed shelving, reserve book rally, reading under pressure, and chess-nis.
Kerri and Ashley took turns shooting, while also acting. (“Thank goodness for tripods,” Ashley says.) Ashley made the final edits.
You can probably guess who won.
But be sure to watch the quick video below for a surprise ending.
It’s a Grand Slam.
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With over 600 attendees — and many more watching the livestream — it was the best-attended “Booked for the Evening” ever.
With over $750,000 raised, it was the most successful too.
And with special guest Chris Evert and Westport’s own ESPN star Chris McKendry adding to the luster of superstar Billie Jean King, it was certainly the most warm, intimate and inspiring in the Library fundraiser’s illustrious 25-year history.
A small portion of the large crowd, before “Booked for the Evening” began. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The 80-year-old honoree is a tennis icon. She won 39 Grand Slam titles, in singles and doubles. She is an International Tennis Hall of Famer, was ranked #1 in the world 5 times, and launched both the first pro tennis tour for women, and the Women’s Tennis Associaition.
She may be the only athlete in the world to have a venue named after her, while still alive. (And not just any one: The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, where the US Open concluded a few days ago, is the premier facility in the country.)
But — as was noted often, by a wide variety of speakers, on stage and in a loving tribute video by Westporter Doug Tirola — King is much more than an athlete.
She has spent her life fighting against injustice, and for the rights of everyone: women, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and anyone else denied their rights, on the tennis court or in life.
King’s admirers filled the Library’s Trefz Forum. They were there in Tirola’s film, too: Serena Williams, Pam Shriver, John and Patrick McEnroe, James Blake, Stan Smith, Julie Foudy, Christiane Armanpour.
All spoke with humor, respect and awe of King’s impact — on their own lives, on sports in general, and the world at large.
Billie Jean King (left) and Chris McKendry. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
McKendry — an admirer from her early days at ESPN — got King to talk about her early life, and career highlights (including how and why Elton John wrote “Philadelphia Freedom” about her; the song was sung on stage by Westporter Sophie B. Hawkins, and a group of talented young girls).
But King’s insights into her use of the platform sports provided, to shine a light on issues like unequal pay for female athletes and the importance of Title IX, were the most compelling parts of the night.
Her character shone through in stories like her friendship with Bobby Riggs. After their much-hyped “Battle of the Sexes” — the 1973 exhibition she won in straight sets — the two grew close. She called him the night before he died; each told the other “I love you.”
Evert — now 69 — made a surprise appearance. Calling King “the 8th wonder of the world,” she recounted the older woman’s mentorship — including King’s delight at Evert beating her, heralding the next generation of great female players.
Chris Evert (left) joins Billie Jean King and Chris McKendry. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
“She even helped me during my breakup with Jimmy Connors,” Evert noted, underscoring the fact that King — who has been in a 40-plus years relationship with South African player Ilana Kloss — is wise in many areas.
Or, as Evert noted, “Billie Jean has more wisdom than anyone I’ve met in my life. And I’ve met a lot.”
“Lots of therapy,” King quipped.
King talked about how much has changed in women’s tennis. Players today have “teams” of coaches (“all men,” King noted sadly), trainers, psychologists, nutritionists and more.
In her day, King traveled alone, and with only 2 racquets. (“Now they have 3 bags for them.”)
But, she said, “I’m thrilled for them. That’s what I fought for.”
When McKendry asked what King is most proud of, she demurred.
“I don’t think that way. I think forward. Maybe when I’m older …”
Near the end, McKendry asked, “All over the world, women’s sports are now having a moment. What’s that like for you?”
Like a great tennis player, King found the best angle.
“I’m the first athlete you’ve had here” as a “Booked for the Evening” honoree, she said.
It’s a star-studded list of writers, artists and others: Tom Brokow, E.L. Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Patti Smith, Jon Meacham, Nile Rodgers, Lynsey Adddario, Alan Alda, Justin Paul, Frederic Chiu, Itzhak Perlman, Shonda Rhimes and more.
“Tonight, your first athlete was a woman. You have no idea what that means to me,” King said.
She was also the first female athlete to get the Presidential Medal of Freedom, her wife — who joined her onstage — said.
“You are the OG, and you helped build it,” Kloss added proudly.
Ilana Kloss, Billie Jean King’s wife. The couple were married in a small ceremony, by former New York Mayor David Dinkins. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The evening ended with Library director Bill Harmer noting that King’s father, Bill Moffitt, was a firefighter.
Westport Fire Chief Nick Marsan announced that King — who “embodies the department’s core values of courage, resilience and a desire to serve every person” — is now an honorary Westport firefighter.
He gave her a Westport firefighter’s hat, inscribed with her initials.
She looked as delighted as if she held the Wimbledon trophy.
Westport Fire Chief Nick Marsan hands Billie Jean King a plaque, and a firefighter’s hat. Library director Bill Harmer looks on proudly. (Photo/Dan Woog)
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — and readers meet icons like Billie Jean King. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Yesterday — in the aftermath of the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania — the Democratic Town Committee said:
Dear Westport Community,
The Westport Democratic Town Committee denounces the violence perpetrated against former President Donald Trump, and all other acts of political violence.
We live in unusually divisive times, where conduct has devolved both nationally and locally. This is unacceptable. The Democratic Town Committee is committed to civility, community, and above all – safety.
Sincerely,
Michelle Mechanic, Chair
Nicole Klein, Vice Chair
Robin Weinberg, Secretary
Alan Shinbaum, Treasurer
This was posted on a Westport Republicans social media account:
There’s no place for political violence in our republic.
Civility & respect.
God bless Donald Trump, America and those harmed by these actions.
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Tickets for this year’s “Booked for the Evening” — featuring tennis legend and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King, set for September 12 — go on sale today (Monday, July 15) at 10 a.m.
Click here to purchase, for this sure-to-sell-out-quickly fundraiser. Click here for a seat map of the event.
The library notes: “All tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and we cannot guarantee access to tickets.” A livestream/watch-from-home ticket option is also available.
NOTE: If you don’t see tickets available on the website at 10 a.m., refresh your browser. The ticket link might be added to the page after you logged on.
King will come to the Library fresh off the 2024 US Open, whose grounds were named in her honor in 2006.
Onstage, she’ll chat with Chris McKendry, a Westport resident and host of ESPN’s tennis coverage.
Billie Jean King
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Decades ago, Functional Clothing sold used blue jeans in a basement-level Main Street store, near the current Gap.
Soon, a new used clothing store will open downtown this fall.
2nd Street takes over at 17 Main Street. Most recently, it was the site of Loft.
The chain’s originated in Japan in 1996. There are now more than 700 locations there.
The first 2nd Street in the US was in Los Angeles, in 2018. there are now about 3 dozen in the this country. The Westport and New Haven sites will be the first 2 in Connecticut.
The website boasts of “a huge selection of styles from street wear to vintage to Japanese designer and luxury accessories.” It also cites the company’s sustainability and waste-reduction efforts”
As part of our Hand2Hand project, we make sure to reuse all the clothing that arrives in our stores. Any items that we cannot sell are donated to a partner company that will recycle the clothing to clean up oil spills in factories, while other items are resold to create job opportunities and provide clothing to those in need.
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In other business news, Stop & Shop is closing 5 underperforming stores in Connecticut — and 27 others throughout the Northeast — by November.
The Westport location will remain open.
The 5 Nutmeg State stores to be shuttered are in Ansonia, Danbury, Milford, Stamford (West Main Street) and Torrington.
Nancy Anderson adds: “My father, Dr Arnold Pearlstone, moved to Westport in 1963 where he lived until his passing in 2020.
“In 1963 he and his partner Leonard Flom (they were both well known ophthalmologists) purchased adjacent plots of land on a road without a name. It is off North Ave extension, and was named “Arlen Road” after both of them.”
Dr. Leonard Flom
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Cali Carleton is a Westport mom of 5. A year ago, she launched Domino & Juliette.
They create high quality, safe, affordable and “educationally accurate” toys for children. Favorite items include alphabet and numbers puzzles. Made from food grade silicone, they are dishwasher safe (and great for crafts and messy play).
The toys are hailed by by parents of neuro-divergent children and therapists, because they are soft, flexible and chewable.
D&J also sells placemats for children of all ages to practice counting, spelling, sorting, geography and science.
With every order placed, the company donates a 24-pack of Crayolas to children in need, in places like Bridgeport.
Last month, Domino & Juliette entered retail space for the first time. They joined Honeypie, the children’s boutique on Riverside Avenue also run by a Westport mom.
Feeling safe, she hatched 5 tiny chicks. “It’s been amazing to watch,” he says of the process that led to today’s very cool “Westport … Naturally” photo.
And finally … on this date in 2006, Twitter was launched. The world has never been the same.
(From local roads and stores to national politics, “06880” is “where Westport meets the world.” Please click here to help us keep those connections strong. Thank you!)
Lynn Flint wrote yesterday: “The ground ozone count for today in Westport is 122 (way high).
“Anything above 70 is considered USG (unhealthy for sensitive groups). Normal is around 10.
“The same high count is forecast for Friday.
“This condition is invisible, not like forest fire smoke. I’ve noticed it the last few days whenever I was outside my eyes started to burn, my vision became blurry, and I started to cough vigorously.”
Be careful out there!
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A reader writes: “Students graduating during the COVID lockdown in 2020 were denied graduation ceremonies, and the accompanying fanfare and celebrations.
“To create alternative markers of these students’ accomplishments, schools produced and distributed lawn signs for each graduate’s family to display.
“Now, 4 years later, I see lawn signs for Staples, Bedford, even Goddard School graduates. Why?
“Can we please stop, for the sake of our landfills? Graduates are able once again to celebrate and be celebrated.
“So let’s end the practice of producing plastic signs that do not get recycled. biodegrade or do anything useful.”
A celebration of Leonard Everett Fisher’s life is set for this coming Monday (June 24, 3 to 6 p.m., Westport Library).
The date is special. It would have been the noted illustrator/artist, longtime civic volunteer and proud World War II veteran’s 100th birthday.
Donations in his and his wife’s name can be made to “Margery & Leonard Everett Fisher Endowment for Children’s Books in the Arts,” c/o Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880.
Leonard Everett Fisher (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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Only 2 athletic facilities in Westport — Paul Lane Field at Staples High School, and PJ Roman Field behind Saugatuck Elementary — have lights.
That may change.
Now that a 10-year agreement with Staples neighbors has expired — and with more demands on fields than ever, due to the growth of sports like rugby and girls lacrosse — discussions are beginning about lighting more places.
The Planning & Zoning Commission Recreation Subcommittee meets next Thursday (June 27, noon, Zoom; click here for the town website livestream).
The agenda includes:
Review of participant feedback on athletic field lighting for properties (seen here).
Discussion of temporary vs. permanent lighting, and times of the day.
Discussion of the next steps in implementing athletic field lighting.
Paul Lane Field (lower right) is Staples’ only lighted athletic facility. the baseball diamond, and adjacent Albie Loeffler Field and Jinny Park Field are not. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Tickets for Billie Jean King’s appearance at the 25th annual “Booked for the Evening” — the Westport Library’s signature fundraiser (September 12) — go on sale Monday, July 15, at 10 am.
Speaking of summer: It was the solstice — and a full moon last night.
Dalma Heyn captured the scene, at Old Mill Beach:
(Photo/Dalma Heyn)
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Congratulations to Katie Augustyn. The longtime Westporter is the Sunrise Rotary Club’s new president for 2024-25. She was inducted Wednesday.
Katie Augustyn (center), at her Sunrise Rotary presidency induction. Looking on are the 2023-24 president Liz Wong, and Robert Friend, Rotary district governor.
The former marketing manager of the Westport Library’s Verso Studios — who is also a film director and musician — has been named director of operations and new initiatives at WPKN, Bridgeport’s free-form, listener-supported FM radio station.
At Verso Studios, Toller helped develop the mission, partnerships, and programming and marketing efforts.
Brendan Toller (Photo/Michael Civitello)
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Jianmei “Jamie” Zheng died June 14 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, with her family by her side, after a battle with lymphoma. She was 61.
She was born in China. After she and Ping Zhou married in 1986, Jamie earned a master’s degree in computer science from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
They and their 2 children eventually settled in Westport, where they lived for the past 18 years.
Jamie was a lifelong enthusiast of music and the arts. As a girls she performed traditional Chinese dance onstage, and later developed a love for classical music and opera. She followed that passion through world travel. Locally, she enjoyed MoCA CT, the Westport Country Playhouse, Westport Community Theatre, the Music Theatre of Connecticut and Fairfield University’s Quick Center.
Jamie practiced yoga, and was a founding member of a book club. She also found great happiness at Sherwood Island State Park, and relished in her daughter’s accomplishments.
In addition to her beloved husband Ping of 38 years, Jamie is survived by her daughters Connie (Scott) and Katie, and brothers Jianquan and Jianbin.
A memorial service is set for June 29 (11 a.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport).
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jamie’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.
Jamie Zheng
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While Westporters sweltered, these swans enjoyed cool Lees Pond.
Amy Swanson spotted them, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
The Westport Library has served up some big names at Booked For the Evening, its signature fundraising event.
Tom Brokaw, E.L. Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Patti Smith, Nile Rodgers, Lynsey Addario, Ron Chernow, Alan Alda, Justin Paul, Itzhak Perlman and Shonda Rhimes are just some of the honorees over the past quarter century.
This year’s 25th anniversary event features another true ace: Billie Jean King.
Billie Jean King
The tennis legend and social justice pioneer will be celebrated in the Trefz Forum on Thursday, September 12. She’ll chat with Chris McKendry, a Westport resident and host for ESPN’s tennis coverage. Tickets go on sale next month.
King will be at the Library just days after the US Open. Its grounds were named in her honor in 2006.
Library executive director Bill Harmer calls King’s appearance “especially significant. Her unparalleled achievements and unwavering dedication to equality and justice resonate deeply with the values our library and community.
“This silver anniversary is a time to reflect on our shared commitment to fostering knowledge, inclusivity, and progress, and there is no one more fitting to inspire us than Billie Jean King. Her enduring impact on sports and society makes her a beacon of hope and change. We are thrilled to celebrate her remarkable legacy with our community.”
“Booked for the Evening” annually honors a person whose work reflects the purpose of the Library: :to nurture a love of learning and to enhance our understanding of the world.” King exemplifies that mission.
The International Tennis Hall of Famer won a remarkable 39 Grand Slam titles. She finished Number 1 in the world 5 times.
Yet for her all accomplishments on the court, she is best known today for championing equality and fairness, in sport and society.
Her victory over Bobby Riggs in the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” was a seminal moment in professional sports. It followed years of her work, championing equality.
In 1970 she launched the Virginia Slims Tour — the first professional tennis tour for women — and in 1971 became the first female athlete to earn more than $100,000.
As founder and first president of the Women’s Tennis Association, she won the fight for equal prize money. The US Open became the first major tournament to offer the same prize money to both men and women.
In 2009, President Obama awarded King the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her advocacy work on behalf of women and the LGBTQ community. She was the first female athlete to receive the award.
In 2014 she founded the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the critical issues required to achieve diverse, inclusive leadership in the workforce.
In 2021, she received the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, the magazine’s highest honor.
Fitting for the Booked occasion, King has a library named after her, in her hometown of Long Beach, California.
“I believe in the power of dreaming big and never giving up,” King said, adding separately, “The legacy I would like to leave is that it’s OK to be yourself, and it’s OK to be different.”
(For more information on “Booked for the Evening,” click here.)
Julia Friedman played competitive basketball all her life.
In sophomore year an autoimmune condition sidelined her. But she stayed involved, helping the Staples girls team.
She’d run cross country as a freshman and sophomore. She kept on with that squad too, as manager.
She referees youth basketball, and volunteers with PAL.
So when Julia — a staff writer for Inklings, the school newspaper — searched for a “Jock Talk” opinion piece subject for the October issue, women’s sports seemed a natural.
Her piece was powerful. As she expected, it generated plenty of controversy.
Yet despite its headline — “The Athletically Oppressed” — Julia’s column did not argue that female athletes are downtrodden and subjugated.
Her thesis was that there should be no separate “women’s sports.”
No other career is separated by gender, she wrote.
Making females compete on their own teams, in their own leagues, makes them seem less important — and leads to lower attendance and revenue, she said.
She gave examples of women athletes who have competed successfully with men — from Billie Jean King to basketball players Ann Meyers and Lusia Harris to race car driver Danika Patrick.
Julia Friedman wonders: Should there be such a thing as "women's basketball"?
If women’s rights activitis really want equality, Julia argued, why don’t they compete with men on the same playing field?
Some friends like what she wrote. Others did not.
Most adults thought it was well-written, she said, but did not agree.
“I think a lot of people thought I was right,” she added. “But they didn’t want to say it. It’s not politically correct.”
Thanks to Inklings’ robust web presence, Julia’s column attracted attention far beyond Staples.
People of all ages — far and wide — chimed in on the site’s comments section. Someone told her that while everyone is entitled to her opinion, it was unfortunate Julia voiced hers.
Plenty of people called her “sexist.” She expected that.
A woman posted several comments, including one that was longer than the column. That proved, Julia said, that “people are really passionate about women’s sports. I respect their opinion, and I hope they respect mine.”
Ann Gaffigan, who runs WomenTalkSports.com, asked Julia to come on her radio show. She’ll do that, after she does some research. “I don’t want to get ripped apart,” she said with the wisdom of a media veteran.
At the same time she’s dealing with the reaction to “The Athletically Oppressed,” Julia is planning her next column.
The topic?
“I’m thinking something about women in society,” she said.
“It may not be sports. But I find the social relationships between genders very interesting.”
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