Myers teaches women about Impact Jan. 29

By Anne Koppel Conway

Dee Dee Myers, the first woman to serve as White House Press Secretary, will speak at the JFGP’s Women’s Philanthropy Committee “Impact” fund-raising event, formerly known as Connections, Jan. 29, 2008, at the Portland Hilton.

“We’re really excited about our speaker,” said Barbara Cohen, WPC chair. Myers “is an excellent example of the difference a woman’s voice can make, not only in her own community but also nationally.”
   
During her tenure with the Clinton Administration, Myers used her sharp political instincts and sense of humor to explain complex subjects, earning her respect from both the press and the American public.
   
In a recent phone interview from her home in Washington, D.C., Myers said that President Bill Clinton was “a great boss—very enthusiastic. He believed deeply in what he was doing and wanted to make the country a better place.” His philosophy: “if you work really hard, giving it 110 percent, you can make it happen,” she said.
   
Clinton, who “didn’t sleep much,” tirelessly worked long hours, including weekends, on his agenda, which meant his staff did too, Myers added.
   
The former press secretary recently met with Dana Perino, who holds the job now. The job has changed since Myers held it in the early 1990s.
   
Now, “with so much information out there” because of the Internet, “the news cycle never ends,” Myers said. So the whole process is “moving at even a faster pace.”
   
At age 31, Myers was Clinton’s first press secretary beginning on Jan. 20, 1993. Most hold this demanding position for less than two years, she said. In September 1994, Clinton’s Chief of Staff Leon Panetta announced a restructuring of the Office of the Press Secretary.
   
Although Myers agreed that changes were needed, she said she had a “different view on how” it should happen. She chose to resign on Dec. 22, 1994.
   
After leaving the White House, she worked as a political analyst, commentator and writer and was a consultant to NBC’s popular “The West Wing,” which ended its seven-year run in May of 2006.
   
Myers and the fictional “The West Wing” press secretary C. J. Cregg (played by Allison Janney) had “a lot of ideas and experiences” in common, Myers said. Both were born in California and raised Catholic. But Janney, “a comedic actress, made C.J. unique and wonderful” and the character took on a life of her own.
   
In one episode where Myers had the story credit and had “the most fun” writing the script, C.J. needed a root canal and, as a result, had trouble talking, so the pompous Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) took over the press conference. With Josh at the helm, things spiraled out of control, and he ended up causing a monetary crisis.
   
“Everyone thinks they can do better than the person doing” whatever it is they are doing. She likes to think of this episode as “briefer’s revenge.”
   
Myers is currently a contributing editor to Vanity Fair magazine and is a member of
the California State University Board of Trustees, appointed in 1999.
   
As an expert Washington-watcher, Myers will be an Impact speaker not to be missed. Her talk will focus on issues facing women in Washington and in leadership positions of all kinds.
   
The Women’s Philanthropy Committee changed the name of the fundraiser to Impact to reflect the impact women have in our community, Cohen said.
   
Committee members are “Women Promoting Community,” Cohen said. “Women’s voices,” like Myers, “are strong and need to be heard.” The committee would like all women to get involved with the Jewish community with their voices and their dollars, said Cohen.
   
Impact-goers will be asked to make a $180 minimum donation to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s annual campaign. The admission fee for the event will cover the cost of the dinner. The time will be announced at a later date.
   
Invitations for Impact will be mailed in December. The event is open to all women in the greater Portland area. If you do not receive an invitation, contact Jen Feldman at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, 503-245-6449, or e-mail her at jen@jewishportland.org.