"Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult," said Charlotte Whitton back in the '70s.
We don't want to dwell on tragedy -- every day there are losses everywhere. But recently we had three deaths among important women: Nora Ephron, Helen Gurley Brown and the lesser-known Lois Smith, publicist to earlier big, big stars.
This week NYC's intelligentsia took leave of Lois who was much beloved and an all-around wonderful creature. She died some weeks ago after a fall, in her 80s. She was retired and living in Massachusetts, even though many begged her over and over to "come back home!"
So it was a weepy get-together at the 92nd Street Y where such as Meryl Streep and Rosie O'Donnell got into a semi-loving-correcting contretemps onstage over another actress, Claire Danes. (All I can say is that Lois Smith would have loved every moment of this friendly "argument." Lois was such an "innocent" in her embracing positive motherly manner that she once looked at me in amazement when I told her one of her clients had used cocaine right in front of me. "Really, Liz -- I never suspected that!" said Lois. She left it at that and to my conscience. I didn't print it.)
- Anyway, I found it pretty remarkable and appealing that another Smith -- Lois -- could be eulogized in person by the mistress of all she surveys, Oscar-and-every-other-kind-of-winner Meryl Streep. (Streep was formidable and the best of most speakers at the recent Nora Ephron memorial and she out-does herself informally time after time!)
At the Y, it all began with emcee Rosie O'Donnell. She was wearing red, imitating Lois who was famous for the scarlet coat she wore on the red carpet so her celebrity clients could easily find her.
Rosie opined that she hoped Lois "was up there" talking with Marilyn Monroe and with Nora Ephron taking notes. Then, Rosie segued into a bit about whether Claire Danes now employs a lisp on the TV series Homeland.
This was followed by Lois' former partner Leslee Dart reminding that Lois called those she loved by the pet name, "Ducks!" (She had sprayed the premises with Lois' favorite, Joy perfume!) Ms. Dart won applause by noting that the PR industry should follow Lois' lead and "be less self-centered, and kinder" ... Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers made some funny remarks... there was a song from Mandy Patinkin. Then -- I think it was then, this was all interrupted by Streep who defended Danes, saying that the latter "had her mouth taped up for two days -- and she's pregnant -- you get a pass!" Rosie yelled from backstage, "Sorry!"
In speaking, Streep said something to the effect that, in the past, "... This is hilarious; people wanted to preserve their privacy and Lois seemed to think this was reasonable. "She credited Lois with giving her own family a private life before the era of cell-phones and 24/7 entertainment-media tweets!
Lois' granddaughter Brianna spoke and also her daughter, actress Brooke Smith, who remarked that her mother had loved talent, loved her job and made it easier for actors and directors and show folk to do theirs. (You will remember Brooke as the girl captured by the serial killer in the film Silence of the Lambs and kept captive in a well.)
And the woman of women, Gloria Steinem, spoke eloquently.
When Rosie got on to close, she remarked on "being dissed by Meryl Streep at a memorial."
Well, I'd put THAT in my bio for Google and Wikipedia -- if I were Rosie.
- ALSO now comes word of the untimely death of the popular psychotherapist Mona Ackerman who had been ill quite sometime at her Fifth Avenue home. Our hearts go out to her one and only, the astute columnist Richard Cohen.
Mona was much loved. She was fun, generous and wise. She was the daughter of Meshulam Riklis, a man well-known for putting the Hollywood Foreign Press Association on the map back in the day when they voted for his momentary wife, Pia Zadora, as their star of stars!)
The Association recovered from this glitch and became the name behind the all-important Golden Globes.
- WELL, AS long as we are speaking well of the deceased, we will show you a photo by Cyd King of where the late Helen Gurley Brown is resting in peace beside her producer husband, David Brown. It came to me from one sbarnes05@sprynet.com.
These headstones are in Sisco Cemetery in Osage, Ark. Neither of my famous friends, the Browns, were crazy about Arkansas; one is hard-pressed to imagine the gentleman intellectual David even passing through. But there they are; Arkansas has claimed them.
OY VEY! as we Irish say. I hope I can be more cheerful in the future.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.