(photo by Imani Cheers)
Two weeks ago, I was in New Orleans for The New York Times Student Journalism Institute, a 2-week boot camp for new, young and beginning reporters.
On one of our last evenings in the city, our group had the opportunity to dine at Dooky Chase, a legendary restaurant in New Orleans visited by presidents, celebrities, dignitaries and a host of other important folk. Ray Charles even sang about the restaurant in his song, "Early in the Morning Blues."
After we had finished our meal of gumbo, fried chicken, catfish, shrimp creole, string beans, greens, macaroni and cheese, shrimp etoufee (or was it crawfish?) and bread pudding, the legendary chef and owner, Leah Chase, 87, came out and said a few words.
A tiny lady (she's not quite 5 feet), she was a delight, happy to see so many young women in attendance. (There were 20 females and 6 males in the Institute.) Her words of wisdom were heartfelt as she talked about the world's admonishment of strong women: "We know we're stronger, but we don't have to let men know it," she said to laughter. "Put him on a pedestal. Pat him on his back."
I know what Miss Leah was saying, do you? What do you think of her advice?
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