Thousand Oaks entertained a bevy of political luminaries recently as the Sunset Hills Country Club hosted the annual Kennedy Legacy Dinner. The event marks the kickoff of Ventura County Democratic Party fund raising for the next political cycle, introduction of political candidates and elected officials, and recognition of persons who have made special contributions.
Hannah Beth Jackson, former Assemblywoman, ably handled the duties of master of ceremonies for the evening. Actor Peter Strauss paid homage to John, Robert and Ted Kennedy by incorporating passages from significant speeches each had given. The tribute was especially moving as Strauss went into character for each brother.
Featured speakers included Lilly Ledbetter, who inspired the federal Fair Pay Act of 2009, and Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred, who specializes in social justice and gender and minority rights cases.
The dinner concluded with the presentation of the Kennedy Legacy Awards. “Tonight is really to celebrate the legacy of the Kennedy brothers,” party chairwoman Jill Martinez said. “Courage and endurance. We really want to recognize people in the community that have those same kinds of traits.” Allred received the John F. Kennedy Award for Inspiration; Ledbetter received the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Courage; Sharon Hillbrant, former chairwoman of the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee, received the Edward M. Kennedy Award for Endurance; and Brian Levy, president of the Simi Valley-Moorpark Democratic Club, received the Kennedy Legacy Award for Community Service.
Planning of the event was under the direction of Sandy Emberland, event chair, and committee members Sue Broidy, Helen Conly, Sandra Kinsler, Steven Brown, Sharon Hillbrant, Brian Leshon, and Ron Suckle.
