The "Week of Weeks" Edition
Friends,
I’m sorry to report sad news — a loss. My mother-in-law, Mary Joan Dolan, known to most everyone as Joan, died on Friday morning, March 9th, 2023. She would have been 86 on March 24th. My husband and his family made the last months and days of her life as dignified and full of love as can be. She was a determined, gentle lady. But she was passionate about just a few things — chief among them was traditional Irish set dancing. She was a master dancer and a great teacher. I was a mad square dancer from way back— I wouldn’t say I earned any prizes but it was fun and energetic and inclusive to join in.
In the culinary realm, though not a gourmand (many in her life are now laughing), her passions were nevertheless…passionate! For a good cup of black tea, only a couple of brands would pass muster; pretty much any boiled or mashed potato with butter and salt at the ready; she had a deeply held enjoyment of Panera, with a much-punched frequent user card to prove it; and, of all things, maybe her deepest joy: a slice of real New York pizza.
She was born here in Manhattan, in 1937, raised back in Ireland, then back here again in her teens for good. She moved on up from tenement apartment life under the long torn-down 3rd Avenue El to the Bronx, and then to Westchester for many decades. She has four devoted kids and a passel of grandkids and children-in-law who will miss her dearly.
One thing I didn’t know about her, being a beacon of that Irish music and dance scene, is that she has a photo credit for album art on a classic disc that includes her beloved husband of ~50 years, famous Irish musician Felix Dolan. We’ll be honoring Joanie and remembering Felix this week. Thank you to all who have written — Phelim and I appreciate all the sentiment and sympathy.
My annual poll/picks for the Oscars will have to wait til next year. I won’t even try to predict the winner. I’m not sure Joan Dolan would have liked the Irish film Banshees of Inisherin but she certainly would have appreciated this lady and her sweaters knit especially for the film.
Here is the most important news of the week for women in the world: Politics, Business, Health, Pop Culture, The Arts, Sports, and more. Excuse typos and editing errors, if any. Rushing and distracted…
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If you have a story you think I may have missed or something to share with me, please still do, at LZSundayPaper@gmail.com. I especially on the hunt for well reported stories or interesting topics from less traditional outlets…the blogs seem gutted, the small papers out of business, everything behind a paywall, it seems…let me know what you are reading!
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I hope to see you next Sunday, have a peaceful week,
LZ
The Oscar For Best Pic(k) of the Week Goes To…:
What The Red Carpet Used To Be via The New Yorker
Hollywood’s Glass Ceiling Remains In Place via Variety
ABORTION RIGHTS:
Texas Man Sues Women He Says Helped His Ex-Wife Obtain Abortion Pills via The Washington Post
The Latest Attack On The Aborion Pill Is 40 Years In The Making via The New Yorker
Women Denied Abortion Sue Texas To Clarify Exceptions To The Laws via The Texas Tribune
THE ECONOMY:
Women’s Work Is The Backbone Of The Economy via Ms.
Meet The Woman Who Invented A Whole New Subsection Of Tech Set To Be Worth $1 Trillion via CNBC
CAMPUS CLIMATE:
Hazing, Naked Skates, and A ‘Mental Health Hunger Games:’ The Dark Side Of Harvard Women’s Ice Hockey via The Athletic
#METOO:
’Media Men’ Lawsuit Ends In A Settlement via The New Yo rk Times
THE ARTS & POP CULTURE:
What If You Just Didn’t Clean That Up? via The Cut
The 10 Viral Fashion Month Moments You Need To Know About via Eliza
Who Will Present The Best Actress Award Instead Of Will Smith? via The Independent
OBITUARIES:
Judy Heumann, Who Led The Fight For Disability Rights, Dies At 75 via The New York Times
…AND WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT…?:
The Viking Woman Who Sailed To America and Walked To Rome via Big Think