Radcliffe Day: Jodie Foster receives Radcliffe Medal

By Nina Livingstone

I am reminded of the countless times I’ve ventured through Harvard Square on a freelance assignment to do an interview with a notable author, artist or chef—or even cover a commencement. On most occasions, rain seemed to be my constant companion. It was uncanny and Radcliffe Day, celebrated May 9, it was no different. Walking down the historical sidewalks with bricks askew, creating an uneven path, my mobility cane welcomed the imperfections. For decades they have announced my arrival in Harvard Square. No GPS necessary.

The gust of winds and the bone-chilling nip in the air didn’t deter guests from lining up at the gate that marked the entrance into Radcliffe Yard. I headed for the press table and was handed my lanyard with a photo of Radcliffe Medalist Jodie Foster. I made my way under the huge tent, being escorted to the seats set aside for press. I chose the one nearest a tent entrance. It proved fortuitous as I watched honored guests, notable alums and the star of the event pass through the threshold. Adele Fleet Bacow even stopped by to say hello. We had a lovely conversation. I was told Jodie Foster and her son, Charlie, entered without fanfare. Although Jodie looked my way, my blindness kept the moment out of reach for me.

The rain fell and thanks to my cochlear implant, the pounding on the tarp top was welcomed—the whipping wind that cut through my jacket not so much! The sound system allowed me to hear the panel discussion, which featured some of my favorite people including filmmaker Mira Nair (known for numerous films, among them “Salmon Bombay”) and actress Amy Brenneman (“Judging Amy” among others). The topic was how underrepresented women are in film and television. My interest helped block out the chattering of my teeth.

Jodie Foster

Amy Brenneman

Mira Nair

When Radcliffe Dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin took us through Foster’s career from Coppertone baby to Academy Award-winning star, it was almost impossible to equate the huge body of work with the slight 5-foot-3 actor that was heading to the stage. Unwrapping herself from her coat, Foster received the Radcliffe Medal and joined Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., who had been Foster’s thesis adviser at Yale in the early 1980s. She shared with Gates that she wanted to have “a long career where I was known for myself and for my work …”

Some of the unsung heroes of the day were the young people who stood at the wind-whipped entrances around the tent, always on hand to open their umbrellas for any guest who chose to venture outside.

Despite the cold and raw weather, the warmth emitted from the enthusiastic audience and staff, made for a delightful and memorable afternoon.

Nina Livingstone is a Boston-based writer who loves eating food as much as she loves writing about it. With the loss of her sight, Nina’s sense of taste has been heightened, and, yes, tomatoes remain at the top of her list. To learn more, visit her website Destination Mirth or contact her at nina@ninalivingstone.com.

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