Lesley Gore: Our Turn to Cry (1946-2015)

Today, it is certainly our turn to cry!

Wikipedia Photo

Lesley Gore died of lung cancer today, even though she was a non-smoker.  That fact proves that life is not fair.  I remember her songs fondly from when I was a kid.  Back then, in 1962 when I was just seven years old, the fact that she was a singing sensation at the age of 16 did not impress me.  I realize now that was quite a feat, especially so long before American Idol.  Her first hit was “It’s My Party” followed closely by “Judy’s Turn to Cry,”  Of course, my favorite even then was “You Don’t Own Me” from 1964.  I must have always been a budding feminist.

Over the years, she may not have had a high profile as an artist, but she stayed in the business as a singer and songwriter.  For a short time in the 1960s, she even played Catwoman’s sidekick in the TV series Batman.  How cool and kitch is that?!  In 2012, her “You Don’t Own Me” women’s rights anthem was used in a PSA Campaign for reproductive rights and getting out the female vote.

Internet Image

At her death, she was working on a stage version of her life for Broadway.  To realize that her life and talent have been cut short is very sad.  Lois Sasson, Gore’s partner of 33 years, shared this view of Lesley Gore:  “She was a wonderful human being — caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian.”

In her honor and memory, I share with you two versions of my favorite song by Lesley Gore: “You Don’t Own Me.”  The first is the 2012 PSA version that Gore introduces.  The second is the version sung by Better Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton as a great ending to the fun film First Wives Club.  Enjoy!

I dare you to watch either (or both) and not tap your feet and sing along.

Lesley Gore. She will be missed.

GET OUT THE VOTE 2014

Patriotic.  I have always considered myself to be patriotic.  I’m sure part of that feeling comes from Dad always flying the flag on special holidays and his service during World War II.

But it’s more than that:

*  I love to see the flag flying against a blue sky—and am not thrilled when the flag being displayed is worn and tattered.

*  I choke up when I hear someone singing “The National Anthem” or even “America, the Beautiful.”

*  JKF has been a hero of mine since I was a kid—probably because his death was the first news event that struck me, hard. Plus his idealism and courage.

*  I won my first writing contest in the 8^th grade by defining patriotism—the contest was sponsored by the American Legion.

*  When I got the chance to vote for the first time, it was a big deal!

Of course, being patriotic does not mean that I agree with everything America does or even that I value the politicians who are supposed to be working for the people, but seem to just worry about winning the next election.  But I do value that as Americans we get to vote, to try and get some good people elected to make things better.  Besides, if you do not vote—from my view—you give up your right to complain.  And complaining, that’s another American ideal I value!  Even though it is only a midterm election, this year’s results will set the stage for the ongoing concerns for women’s rights.

So, I voted today by dropping my mail-in ballot off at the post office.  My views will get counted eventually.  Please, take the time to vote yourself.  To get you in the spirit of voting, I suggest you view this great video called A Bevy of Beauties Sing Along to This 50 Year Old Classic—WOW, This Song Is Magic!  The song is “You Don’t Own Me” made famous 50 years ago, but used to underscore the need to protect women’s right.   Lesley Gore even introduces the video!

Enjoy!  And get out the vote!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

QUOTES ON PATRIOTISM

“True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.”    Clarence Darrow

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal’.”    Martin Luther King Jr.

“We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”    Abraham Lincoln

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”    John F. Kennedy

“We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth, peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home. . .But when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done.”    Calvin Coolidge

“What we need are critical lovers of America – patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it.”    Hubert Humphrey

“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”    Theodore Roosevelt

“True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth, universal brotherhood and good will, and a constant and earnest striving toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.”    Eleanor Roosevelt

“Freedom is never granted. It is earned by each generation… in the face of tyranny, cruelty, oppression, extremism, sometimes there is only one choice. When the world looks to America, America looks to you, and you never let her down.”    Hillary Clinton

“Patriotism in the female sex is the most disinterested of all virtues. Excluded from honors and from offices, we cannot attach ourselves to the State or Government from having held a place of eminence. . . . Yet all history and every age exhibit instances of patriotic virtue in the female sex; which considering our situation equals the most heroic of yours.”    Abigail Adams

“The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.”    Frederick Douglass

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”    Harry Truman

“We, the people, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what’s in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense.”  Barack Obama

“Real patriotism is a willingness to challenge the government when it’s wrong.”    Ron Paul

HAVE YOU VOTED YET?