Thursday, March 14, 2024
11:00 AM | Registration and Reception
12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM | Luncheon and Program
Arizona Biltmore | 2400 East Missouri Avenue | Phoenix
Presenting Sponsors
The Getz Family
The Annual Legacy Luncheon, presented by the Ladies of the Court, honors the life and work of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court.
From Presidential State Dinners and Inaugurations to charitable benefits, for over two decades, David Monn has planned prominent events supporting philanthropy from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala, the New York Public Library, the Metropolitan Opera and The Guggenheim Museum to gatherings for some of the most prestigious institutions, organizations and corporations internationally including Tiffany & Co. and the Super Bowl.
In everything he does, he is guided by three core principles: authenticity, scale, and detail. In David Monn’s The Art of Celebrating, he invites us behind the scenes of thirty-six fabulous events that he has conceived, designed, and orchestrated and shows us how he puts his ideas to work. Legacy Luncheon guests will receive a copy of his book.
LAURA DOWLING | GUEST MODERATOR
Laura Dowling, White House Creative Director for Flowers and Décor, managed floral design for thousands of official and private events, including state dinners, parties, receptions and large-scale installations, such as the iconic White House Christmas. Her lush and lively floral creations also graced the White House state rooms, East and West Wing offices, Camp David and the Presidential private residence.
Past Legacy Luncheons
Smithsonian American Women
Luncheon Co-Chairs Carrie Hulburd and Alexa Schnieder along with the Ladies of the Court, the Women’s Board of the O’Connor Institute, presented the 5th annual Legacy Luncheon ~ Smithsonian American Women ~ Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at the Arizona Biltmore.
The Legacy Luncheon honoring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, welcomed Dr. Anthea Hartig, first woman director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal and listened to Dr. Hartig speak about the book, Smithsonian American Women, which each person received. Ambassador Barbara Barrett (a Smithsonian regent) conducted a “Fireside Chat” interview with Dr. Hartig, discussing many of its artifacts.
Entertaining at the White House
Luncheon Co-Chairs Ina Manaster and Kolby Moffatt along with the Ladies of the Court, the Women’s Board of the O’Connor Institute, presented the 4th annual Legacy Luncheon ~ Entertaining at the White House ~ Thursday, March 31, 2022 at the Arizona Biltmore.
The Legacy Luncheon honoring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was a supremely successful sell-out. Featured speakers included former White House Florist Laura Dowling and former White House Chef John Moeller. Award-winning Chef Mark Tarbell introduced the speakers and moderated the onstage conversation.
Ms. Dowling's stunning presentation provided the audience an inside glimpse of historic White House china, first ladies' floral preferences as well as the legendary White House Christmas decor and state dinners, among other important events. Chef Moeller shared images of White House cuisine and presidential favorites. Guests received copies of their respective books, Floral Diplomacy and Dining at the White House. Tabletops featured springtime centerpieces inspired by Ms. Dowling, and the menu offered sumptuous courses from Chef Moeller's cookbook.
View photos from the Legacy Luncheon (select book view for best experience)
Legacy Luncheon with Susan Page & Barbara Pierce Bush
Under the direction of Luncheon Co-Chairs Jan Lewis and Carolyn O’Malley and the Ladies of the Court, the Women’s Board of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute For American Democracy, the virtual Legacy Luncheon “Home for the Holidays” premiered Friday, December 18, 2020 and was deemed a heartwarming success.
USA Today political editor Susan Page, author of The Matriarch, the biography of Barbara Bush was the keynote speaker along with Barbara Pierce Bush, the granddaughter and namesake of the late memorable First Lady.
Legacy Luncheon with Dr. Jill Biden
The Ladies of the Court, the Women’s Board of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute hosted the annual Legacy Luncheon Friday, May 10, 2019 at the Arizona Biltmore. Following the success of Laura Bush for last year’s annual event, former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden spoke of her new book Where the Light Enters, Building a Family, Discovering Myself. The Legacy Luncheon honors Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court.
Legacy Luncheon with Laura Bush
Mrs. Laura Bush, Former First Lady of the United States, was the featured speaker at the inaugural Legacy Luncheon, Wednesday, April 25, 2018. Mrs. Bush reflected on her life and discussed her memoir, # 1 New York Times best seller, Spoken from the Heart.
The luncheon benefited two charitable organizations, the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute and Hospice of the Valley. Co-Chairs for the 2018 Legacy Luncheon were Gena Bonsall and Penny Gunning. Lin Sue Cooney, former NBC 12 News anchor, served as mistress of ceremonies and moderated a conversation with Mrs. Bush following her remarks.
Like Sandra Day O’Connor, who was raised in Arizona on her family’s Lazy B Ranch, Mrs. Bush stated in her book, “I was born upon the prairie, where the wind blew free, and there was nothing to break the light of the sun. I was born where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew a free breath.” In her memoir, she also describes life as First Lady and the post-9/11 White House, when anthrax attacks cut off the mail and she was no longer permitted to take strolls outside the gates. Polled by The Gallup Organization as one of the most popular First Ladies, Mrs. Bush, with a master’s degree in library science and a former librarian, helped advance national and global concerns during her tenure, including encouraging education and literacy worldwide.
