Introduction

Each year, the Festival opens with a lecture by an internationally acclaimed advocate for women and girls.  In 2014, it was named in honor of Bonni Curran, who was tragically killed in an accident in 2013.  Bonni was a physician, loving mother and wife, and not only a prominent local philanthropist, but deeply committed to working on behalf of women and children around the world.  She had been a supporter of the Festival from its inception. In honoring her memory each year, we are reminded of the impact she had on our community and how much we miss her presence.

The inaugural memorial lecture in 2014 was given by Meagan Fallone Carnahan, head of Global Strategy for Barefoot College in India.