philadelphia style - 2015 - issue 2 - late spring
TRANSCRIPT
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THE TODAY SHOW’S TAMRON HALL TALKS ABOUT LIFE AT TEMPLE & WHy SHE’S BAcK IN PHILLy
Rise &Shineboss ladieschanging the conversation,
improving our city
special section:
hoW philadelphia’s doctors
are leading in Women’s health
dining out!best all-american eateries
plusD’Arcy F. ruDnAyVictoriA cArtAgenAWolFgAng Puck
Women of Influence
CHANGING
the CO N V ER SAT I O N
We see them on television and read about them in headlines—
but while they are breaking news, they are often making news
of their own. Meet the seven women who are effecting positive
change in Philadelphia right now, from education reform and
personal finance to sustainability programs.
As told to SARAh jORdAN Photography by BILLY ROOd
On the MapMeryl levitz
As president and CEO of Visit
Philadelphia, the marketing agency
behind successful campaigns such as
“Philly’s More Fun When You Sleep
Over” and “Philadelphia—Keep Your
History Straight and Your Nightlife
Gay,” Levitz is a seasoned veteran who’s
busy rebranding Philly into one of the
hottest destinations in the world.
My First Job: I was a sales clerk in a
department store in Chicago, selling
menswear and something we called
“record albums” back then.
On Starting Out: I was teaching
continuing education courses [in time
management and money management]
at the Philadelphia College of Art, now
the University of the Arts, and one
thing led to another—and here I am at
Visit Philly.
On Entertaining Out-of-Towners:
There are so many choices, and there is
something for everyone. It really
depends on their interests and how
many times they have been to
Philadelphia.
Daily Essentials: Green tea and
lemon water.
Silver-Screen Stand-In: Bradley
Cooper, because he is talented, local,
and can play anything.
The Key to Success: Know yourself
and know others.
Overcoming Work Challenges: It’s a
matter of balancing the many demands
on our agency, while maintaining a
laser focus on our mission.
Office Catchphrase: I find myself
saying “Your thoughts?” a lot.
Pet Peeves: I don’t like drama—or
people who use “plethora” when they
mean “myriad.” I have a sign in my
office that says, i am silently correct-
ing your grammar. As a former
English teacher, old habits die hard.
After Hours: I like to get outside for a
walk or a bike ride when the weather
allows. I love to cook while drinking a
nice wine.
Advice to the Next Generation: As
the British said during WWII, “Keep
calm and carry on.”
Collage jacket, Donna Karan New York ($1,495). Saks
Fifth Avenue, 2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, 610-667-1550;
saks.com. Top, Brooks Brothers ($90). 1513 Walnut
St., 215-564-4100; brooksbrothers.com. Pants,
Burberry ($750). King of Prussia Mall, 610-878-9300;
burberry.com. Chatelaine stud earrings, David Yurman ($975). King of Prussia Mall, 610-265-6370; davidyurman
.com. Ring, Levitz’s own
phillystylemag.com 95
The Quest for Education EqualityHelen Gym
Community activist and education leader
Helen Gym has been a persistent, powerful,
and dynamic voice in our civic arena
advocating through Parents United for Public
Education, which she cofounded, and her
newspaper, Philadelphia Public School Notebook,
for more support for Philadelphia public
schools and for governmental transparency.
She has served as executive director of Asian
Americans United, founded an arts-based
community public charter school serving
immigrant children, and presses on tirelessly
with her work for equality and access to
quality education.
Morning Routine: I love being with my
family in the morning, that flurry of activity
as my three children rush around. I drag it
out with them as long as I can—especially as
they get older and I realize how precious
these moments are.
Valuable Work Lessons: Meaningful
change happens over time, through
sustained work, deep trust, and a sense of
humility. Some of the problems we’re
tackling in Philadelphia public schools are
some of the most deep-seated challenges that
our nation faces: poverty, race, a commit-
ment to equity, and the role and viability of
public institutions. Anyone selling a quick
fix or simple solution may not grasp the
magnitude of what we need to address.
Favorite Historical Figure: It’s tempting
to look at famous faces—Mahatma Gandhi,
Nelson Mandela, Wangari Maathai—but the
people I most admire are the unnamed
masses who built the movement, people with
the moral character and vision to transform
not just circumstance but the fundamental
ways in which we view one another.
On Perseverance: The civil rights work we
did with high-school-aged Asian immigrant
youth to address an abusive climate at their
school was tremendous. The difficulty of
speaking up for yourself in a new language,
the integrity to walk away from knee-jerk
reactionary politics and move toward
building a broad multiracial, multilingual
standard of justice, the focus on caring and
support within a nurturing community was
one of the most extraordinary struggles I
have been a part of. Today, the school we
work in is significantly better.
What’s Next: The unexpected and joyful.
Dress, Halston ($445). Joan Shepp, 1811 Chestnut St.,
215-735-2666; joanshepp.com. 18k gold dome Albion diamond
earrings, David Yurman ($1,100). King of Prussia Mall, 610-265-6370; davidyurman
.com. Cape Cod watch, Hermès ($3,300). King of Prussia Mall,
610-992-9730; hermes.com
opposite page:
Suede jacket, Marina Rinaldi ($5,255). Saks Fifth Avenue,
2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, 610- 667-1550; saks.com.
Top, Hugo Boss ($245). Bloomingdale’s, King of Prussia Mall, 610-337-6300; blooming
dales.com. Sporty pants, Nicole Miller ($290). Nicole
Miller Manayunk, 4249 Main St., 215-930-0307; Nicole Miller
at the Bellevue, 200 S. Broad St., 215-546-5007; nicolemiller .com. Titan bracelet, Vita Fede
($290). Intermix, 1718 Walnut St., 215-545-6034; intermix online.com. Arceau watch,
Hermès ($3,050). King of Prussia Mall, 610-992-9730;
hermes.com. Earrings, Reardon’s own
96 phillystylemag.com
By the BookSiobhan ReaRdon
Siobhan Reardon, president and
director of the Free Library of
Philadelphia since 2008 (and the first
woman at its helm), has reinvigorated
the library system with some tough
love, initiating the providing of free
Internet access at neighborhood
branches and creating its Culinary
Center. This leader is changing how we
think about libraries.
Childhood Aspirations: I wanted to
be a spy—seriously! It was probably the
result of watching too many Sean
Connery movies.
Finish this Sentence: “I find mean-
ing in...”: Deep conversations. I love to
talk to people, ask questions, have them
tell me something about themselves. It’s
amazing how often you can find a
common thread between people.
Silver-Screen Stand-In: How about
Sandra Bullock?
After Hours: I go home, have a glass of
wine, and hang out with my husband.
Favorite Historical Figure: Florence
Nightingale, because she was gutsy,
innovative, smart, thought outside the
box, and established an entire profes-
sion by recognizing a need.
The Key to Success: If you really want
something to work, you have to be
persistent and passionate. For example,
the fundraising for the renovation and
expansion of the Parkway Central
Library came to a standstill until we
rethought how and what was necessary
to excite people about the possibilities.
We [first had] to understand what the
public needed from its libraries before
we could come up with a plan.
What Makes the Free Library
Great: We have a Culinary Literacy
Center where we work to improve the
literacy skill sets of Philadelphians who
are low-literates using cooking as the
medium. We have the largest circulat-
ing orchestral collection in the world.
We have all four Shakespeare folios (in
impeccable condition).
My Legacy: To be remembered as a
positive, upbeat person who cared
deeply about her family, her friends,
and her community.
phillystylemag.com 97
Painting the Town Greenatherine Gajews i
As the director of sustainability for the City of
Philadelphia, Gajewski is responsible for the
implementation of Greenworks Philadelphia,
an environmental plan that has garnered
national and international attention, and has
positioned this town as a leader in urban
sustainability. Gajewski’s persistence, smarts,
and forward-thinking make her just the
person to lead the charge to get Philly green.
My First Job: My first real paycheck job was
as a white-water rafting guide in Colorado.
On Starting Out: I led the grassroots
campaign to advocate for a smoke-free law.
Then-Councilman [Michael] Nutter was the
sponsor of that legislation, which is how we
got to know one another. I supported his run
for mayor and joined the administration. I’m
outdoorsy and a passionate environmental-
ist, so I was a bug in his ear about these
issues. Once he took office, I got to work with
stakeholders and colleagues to help build
our sustainability agenda.
Greatest Accomplishment: Contributing
to this field of urban sustainability. Cities are
always at the center of important changes; in
our generation, they will have to be at the
center of climate solutions, as well.
Going Green in Philly: If we are to make
deep reductions in citywide greenhouse gas
emissions in line with what scientists and
world leaders are calling for, we need to
focus on energy: reducing its use, expanding
energy efficiency, and implementing clean
energy. In Philadelphia, the majority of
emissions come from buildings. We can
make a serious impact by making our
building stock more efficient. At the same
time, we would be improving air quality and
reducing health risks such as asthma.
Silver-Screen Stand-In: I’ll f latter myself
and say Marion Cotillard.
Overcoming Work Challenges: One of
the hardest things is balancing a sense of
urgency with the patience [required] for
long-term change.
After Hours: I go for an evening walk and
cook dinner with my husband, Ben.
Favorite Historical Figure: Abraham
Lincoln. I’m from Illinois, so there was a
heavy focus on him growing up. He was able
to stay true to his convictions [while steering
the] country towards great change.
What’s Next: Continuing to work in and
around government advancing issues I
care about. That, and goat ownership.
Jacket, Helene Berman ($350). Joan Shepp, 1811
Chestnut St., 215-735-2666; joanshepp.com. Dress,
Narciso Rodriguez ($1,195). Bloomingdale’s, King of
Prussia Mall, 610-337-6300; bloomingdales.com.
Embrace stud earrings ($995) and Embrace
diamond statement ring ($1,750), Lagos. 1735 Walnut
St., 215-567-0770; lagos .com. Cape Cod Tonneau watch, Hermès ($3,800).
King of Prussia Mall, 610-992-9730; hermes.com
Building BridgesRosalyn J. McPheRson
As the relatively new president and CEO
of the Urban League of Philadelphia,
McPherson is using her formidable
communication and public relations
expertise to build up membership and
raise the organization’s profile. She is
focused on delivering empowerment
through education, employment, and
entrepreneurship.
On Starting Out: I began as a class-
room teacher (math and history in junior
high) and then joined the corporate
world. My foundation in the classroom
took me into a business career in
educational product development and
sales. I’ve worked in publishing and then
science-museum administration. I also
have extensive experience in the
business of history and legacy.
Finish this Sentence: “I find meaning
in...”: The joy of making things happen
that will impact people, especially when
it is about cultural enlightenment,
inclusion, and empowerment.
Silver-Screen Stand-In: Angela Bassett
Favorite Historical Figure: Harriet
Tubman
Greatest Accomplishments: Those
projects, especially tied to African-
American history, that when completed
were incredibly enlightening and
educational: “The President’s House:
Freedom and Slavery in Making a New
Nation” at the Liberty Bell Center is an
example of a historic site that I project-
managed, and African Americans: Voices of
Triumph was a three-volume book set that
I published while at Time Warner. Fifty
thousand sets were donated to public and
high school libraries around the country.
On Perseverance: My mother, from
sugarcane country in Louisiana, grew up
poor and motherless and eventually went
to college, where she married. Upon
graduation, she traveled alone with a
1-year-old child in 1954, leaving the
deeply segregated South to join her
husband in Japan. [So began] her
courageously international life.
What’s Next: Growing the programs
at the Urban League, ensuring that we
economically empower more people and
enable them to participate in the growth
of the region; more international business
travel; and authoring several books.
Jacket, Eileen Fisher ($378). King of Prussia Mall, 610-768-7150; eileenfisher
.com. Dress, Max Mara ($400). Saks Fifth Avenue, 2
Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, 610-667-1550; saks.com.
Embrace stud earrings, Lagos ($995). 1735 Walnut St.,
215-567-0770; lagos.com. Metal Renaissance bracelets ($975 each), David Yurman.
King of Prussia Mall, 610-265- 6370; davidyurman.com
phillystylemag.com 99
Checks & BalancesNicole lapiN
The youngest news anchor ever at CNN
and CNBC, Lapin, originally from Los
Angeles and now living between New
York and the Main Line, is a finance
expert, special correspondent, and
author. Her recent book, Rich Bitch,
demonstrates why this savvy talent is
injecting new energy and perspective
into how women think about money.
Childhood Aspirations: I wanted to be
an anchor at CNN.
My Perfect Night in Philadelphia:
Dinner at Vedge and a Sixers game.
Finish this Sentence: “I find meaning
in...”: The little things. I took a Russian
literature class in college that had a
“meaning of life” lecture. The professor
said it was the little things, versus big
accomplishments, that make all the
difference in leading a happy, rich life.
Valuable Work Lessons: “No” means
“yes.” Also, work can be fun, and fun can
be work. Embrace the blurred lines and
stop being so hard on yourself.
On Taking Chances: A second date
that started in Bryn Mawr and ended on
a zip-line in Hawaii has been my greatest
adventure so far.
Silver-Screen Stand-in: Newsroom’s
Sloan Sabbith (aka actress Olivia Munn).
Greatest Accomplishment: That I’ve
been able to speak for those who don’t
have a voice, whether it was more serious
when I was in network news speaking
for victims or now speaking for young
women who want to join conversations
about money but don’t feel welcome.
What’s Next: Launching my book, Rich
Bitch, is my biggest project. My goal is to
make young women who break out into
hives thinking about [finances] excited
about money. You’ll see me on TV a lot
more, as Wendy Williams’s “Money
Honey” and as the go-to business
correspondent for The Insider. You can
also check out my AOL show that I
created and host, called I’ll Never Forget
My First. I talk to power women about the
first time they knew they made it. Off-air,
my production company provides
accessible and entertaining money
content. It’s business in a party dress.
My Legacy: I hope to be remembered as
someone who lived a rich, full life in all
aspects of the word.
Top, Helmut Lang ($185). Knit Wit, 1729 Chestnut St.,
215-564-4760; knitwitonline.com. Skirt, Donna Karan New York
($895). Saks Fifth Avenue, 2 Bala Plaza, Bala Cynwyd, 610-667-1550;
saks.com. 14k yellow- and white-gold Omega set necklaces
($695–$1,500), 14k white-, rose-, and yellow-gold Freda ring ($795),
and 14k tri-gold V Simone ring ($300), Golden Nugget
Jewelers. 800 Chestnut St., 215-925-2777; goldennugget jewelry.com. 18k yellow-gold
Juste un Clou bracelet, Cartier ($7,200). King of Prussia Mall,
610-205-0450; cartier.us
Styling by Faye PowerStyling assistance by
Connor ChildersHair by Laura Devlin/
Giovanni & PileggiMakeup by Robby Nelson/
Giovanni & PileggiShot on location at the
Sofitel Philadelphia
Sofitel Philadelphia is nestled between Philadelphia’s French
Quarter and picturesque Rittenhouse Square. The boutique hotel has 306 spacious rooms on 14 floors with 67
suites and one presidential suite. Amenities include the
Sobed Feathertop and duvet sleep system, wired and wireless Internet
access, concierge, 24-hour room service, valet parking, currency
exchange, and pet-friendly accommodations. The hotel’s urban
chic Liberté Lounge offers contemporary French cuisine in one of the city’s loveliest settings. 120 S.
17th St., 215-569-8300; sofitel-philadelphia.com
Law & Order
Risa VetRi FeRman
Next up for two-term Montgomery
County District Attorney Risa Vetri
Ferman is a run for the judgeship in her
home county. After making a mark
early on specializing in the prosecution
of homicide, child abuse, sexual
assault, and domestic violence cases,
she’s been a passionate and respected
DA since 2008. And she continues the
fight for justice.
On Starting Out: It was serendipity.
In law school, I took an internship at the
US Attorney’s Office. It sounded like
something fun I would never do again.
When I got there, I realized this was
what I was meant to do.
Finish this Sentence: “I find
meaning in...”: Keeping kids safe and
helping them find the right path to lead
good lives.
Definition of Power: Being able to
make things happen.
Silver-Screen Stand-In: Meryl Streep
25 years ago; Julianne Moore today.
Work Challenges: A prosecutor is a
minister of justice with the responsibil-
ity to always do what is right. There is
absolutely no place for politics in this
job, yet we constantly fight against
others trying to inject it. That is a daily
battle I am proud to fight.
After Hours: There’s nothing like a
family dinner to help put me back in my
place of Zen. I just miss having all my
kids around the table now that two are
off in college.
Favorite Historical Figure: Golda
Meir, the original “Iron Lady.” She was
once called the “best man in the
government.” She was known as a
“strong-willed, straight-talking,
gray-bunned grandmother” of
the people.
Secret: I wish I could sing. I am,
however, not optimistic about
mastering that skill.
What’s Next: I turn 50 this year, a big
one. Professionally, after serving as a
prosecutor in Montgomery County for
more than two decades, I decided it was
time for a change and a challenge. So I
chose to run for judge in my home
county, a job I would [feel] privileged to
[be able to] do. PS
Dress, Elie Tahari ($348). Bloomingdale’s, King of
Prussia Mall, 610-337-6300; bloomingdales.com. Titan bracelet ($290) and Titan
Asteria bracelet ($410), Vita Fede. Intermix, 1718
Walnut St., 215-545-6034; intermixonline.com.
Earrings and necklace, Vetri Ferman’s own
phillystylemag.com 101