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'''Renaissance Weekend''' is the name for a recurring series of invitation-only gatherings founded and hosted by Linda and [[Philip Lader]]. The concept was founded in 1981 with the objective of bridging traditional divides of professions, politics, religion, race and age. It substantially increased in prominence when repeat-participant [[Bill Clinton]] was elected president in 1992.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2024-01-07 |title=RENAISSANCE WEEKEND GIVES REBIRTH TO AN INDUSTRY |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1997/02/12/renaissance-weekend-gives-rebirth-to-an-industry/7e1b7d2b-5192-4ed6-ac9c-c569ca9c4d61/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> A few other notable past participants include [[Hillary Clinton]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Jehl |first=Douglas |date=1992-12-30 |title=Clinton, Others Begin 5-Day 'Thinking Party' : Retreat: Renaissance Weekend is casual in tone, intense in discussion from spiritual to political. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-30-mn-2596-story.html |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Supreme Court Justices [[Harry Blackmun]],<ref name=":1" /> [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Participants {{!}} Renaissance Weekend |url=https://www.renaissanceweekend.org/participants |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=www.renaissanceweekend.org}}</ref> and [[Stephen Breyer]],<ref name=":2" /> [[Donald Rumsfeld]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Daniel Schorr]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Wolf Blitzer]]<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Shumake |first=Liz |date=2023-01-27 |title=Remembering Renaissance Weekend - HiltonHead.com |url=https://www.hiltonhead.com/remembering-renaissance-weekend/ |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=Hilton Head, SC {{!}} HiltonHead.com |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Buzz Aldrin]],<ref name=":2" /> and Mary Chapin Carpenter<ref name=":3" /> among many others.
'''Renaissance Weekend''' is an invite-only American retreat for leaders in business and finance, government, the media, religion, medicine, science, technology, and the arts. Conversations are [[Source (journalism)#Using confidential information|off-the-record]] and subject matter ranges widely, tending to focus heavily on policy and business issues.<ref name="theroux46">{{cite book |last=Theroux |first=Paul |date=2015 |title=[[Deep South: Four Seasons on Back Roads]] |location=London, UK |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |page=46 |isbn=9780241146729}}</ref>


Organized several times throughout the year, each Renaissance Weekend consists of seminars, discussions, informal lectures and performances. Substantive conversations and program contributions by all participants are fostered by a casual, welcoming culture. Civility, non-partisanship, non-commercialism and public-spirited impact are the gatherings’ hallmarks.
⚫
==History==
Founded in 1980 on [[Hilton Head Island, South Carolina]], by Linda LeSourd Lader and her husband [[Philip Lader]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/31/us/bill-hillary-and-other-plain-folks-are-all-set-for-one-heady-weekend.html|title=Bill, Hillary and Other Plain Folks Are All Set for One Heady Weekend|last=Jehl|first=Douglas|date=1993-12-31|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref> the former U.S. Ambassador to the [[Court of St. James's]], Renaissance Weekends, now held in several locations each year, are structured to encourage the transcendence of political, economic, and religious differences by bringing together distinguished participants from a wide range of fields, including CEOs, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Prize-winners, artists and scientists, astronauts and Olympians, judges, diplomats and Presidents, Prime Ministers, professors and priests, Republicans, Democrats and Independents.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20151228/PC1603/151229472/1031/renaissance-weekend-returns-to-charleston|title=Renaissance Weekend returns to Charleston|date=2015-12-28|website=Post and Courier|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref> The Weekends are geared towards the establishment of an environment free of partisanship and commercialism, where "civility prevails." Membership is by invitation only.<ref name=":0" />


⚫
== History ==
Sixty families pioneered the Laders' 1980 [[New Year]]'s [[house party]]. The result has been a cross-generational "continuing conversation" of individuals with broadly divergent perspectives, no [[political agenda]], but a legacy of ideas and friendships.
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2024}}
Renaissance Weekend was founded, and continues to be hosted, by Linda and Philip Lader as a forum. The largest gathering is still held around New Year's with the smaller weekends throughout the year.<br /> More than 155 Renaissance Weekends have taken place{{fact|date=November 2024}}.


Among the 60 families who initiated the first Weekend on Hilton Head Island were [[Marian Wright Edelman]], [[David Gergen]], [[Fred Malek]], Governors [[Richard Riley]] and [[Terry Sanford]], [[Stan Smith]], [[Diane Sawyer]], and [[Tim Wirth]]{{fact|date=November 2024}}. Republican and Democratic candidates for US President, and 26 [[Nobel laureates]], have attended. Presidents [[Gerald Ford]] and [[Bill Clinton]] co-chaired Renaissance Weekend's 25th anniversary{{fact|date=November 2024}}. The 40th anniversary Weekend was celebrated by 1,000 participants{{fact|date=November 2024}}.
==Objectives==
{{Expand section|organizational structure, funding/business model|date=March 2010}}The mission is "To build bridges among innovative leaders with exceptionally diverse perspectives."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/the-clinton-renaissance/article/630050|title=The Clinton Renaissance®|date=2012-02-27|website=Weekly Standard|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref> Each Renaissance Weekend seeks to build bridges across traditional divides of professions, politics, geography, age, religions, philosophies, religion, and race.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.live5news.com/story/30842553/annual-renaissance-weekend-starts-with-interfaith-service-at-mother-emanuel|title=Annual Renaissance Weekend starts with interfaith service at Mother Emanuel|last=Wallace|first=Meaghan|website=Live5news|publisher=Frankly and Raycom Media|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref> For over 25 years, these family retreats' objective has been to encourage personal and national renewal.<ref name=":4" />


== Format and Activities ==
Through hundreds of panels, seminars and workshops each Weekend, participants themselves address such public policy and personal concerns as "America's Responsibility to the World," "Investment Perspectives," "How the Media has Covered the War Against Terrorism," "[[Corporate Governance]] After [[Enron]]," "Beating Cancer," "My Family's Legacies for Life," and "[[Christianity]], [[Judaism]] & [[Islam]] - Eternal Truths & Current Myths."
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2024}}
Attendees design their own schedules from the available activities, talks, and sessions in the event program. The program features a range of topics connected to civic, industry, political and arts interests. Additional activities are available for youths in attendance.


People from a range of professional backgrounds and interests attend the events. Invitees are nominated by past participants. The criteria for invitation are professional innovation and/or distinction, potential contribution to the program's breadth and depth, and likely commitment to Renaissance's off-the-record, civility, non-partisan and non-commercial spirit and traditions.
== Attendees ==
"More than 1,000 participants will take part in 500 lectures, seminars, discussions and performances during the four-day event." The Clinton family attended Renaissance Weekend for 13 years.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-01-02/news/9701020171_1_president-and-first-lady-president-clinton-virgin-islands|title=Renaissance Weekend: Mixing Ideas, Relationships|date=1997-01-02|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref> Some former attendees of Renaissance Weekend, listed by the year(s) of attendance have included;


The gatherings are organized by a non-profit institute. To preserve its independence no corporate sponsorships are sought. Attendees cover the cost of participation.
=== Politicians ===
[[File:Bill Clinton.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Bill Clinton]]]]
* 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 – [[Bill Clinton]], former 42nd US President.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-12-30/news/mn-2596_1_renaissance-weekend|title=Clinton, Others Begin 5-Day 'Thinking Party' : Retreat: Renaissance Weekend is casual in tone, intense in discussion from spiritual to political.|last=JEHL|first=DOUGLAS|date=1992-12-30|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1995-01-01/news/mn-15393_1_renaissance-weekend|title=Clintons Drop in on Renaissance Weekend : Conference: First Family joins gathering of 300 intellectual leaders. Participants say the talk and mutual support is just what the President needs.|last=BRODER|first=JOHN M.|date=1995-01-01|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>
* 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 – [[Hillary Clinton]], former first lady and U.S. Senator.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />
* 1993 – [[Harry Blackmun]], US supreme court justice.<ref name=":2" />
* 1993 – [[Ernest Hollings]], U.S. Senator.<ref name=":2" />
* 1993 – [[Chuck Robb|Charles Robb]], U.S. Senator.<ref name=":2" />
* 1993 – [[Barbara Mikulski]], U.S. Senator.<ref name=":2" />
* 2010 – [[Dirk Kempthorne]], former Bush administration Interior Secretary, U.S. Senator and Idaho Governor.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20101228/PC1602/312289982|title=Renaissance Weekend kicking off today expected to bring 1,100 to Charleston|date=2010-12-28|website=Post and Courier|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>
* 2010 – [[Bruce Babbitt]], former Clinton administration Interior Secretary and Arizona Governor.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Gil Kerlikowske]], Obama administration commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and former director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Richard Riley]], former Clinton administration US Secretary of Education and South Carolina Governor.<ref name=":1" />
* 2015 – Millie Hallow, National Rifle Association (NRA) executive.<ref name=":0" />


Specific Renaissance Weekends’ attendance are not disclosed publicly; the gatherings discourage personal screen device usage; and the Renaissance Institute does not seek publicity. Commercial or overtly promotional activity is not permitted at the Weekends.
=== Entertainment ===
[[File:Ruth Westheimer (10877).jpg|thumb|180px|[[Dr. Ruth Westheimer]]]]
* 1993, 1995 – [[Mary Chapin Carpenter]], singer and songwriter<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" />
* 2010, 2015 – [[Gail Sheehy]], author of ''Passages.''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
* 2010, 2013, 2015 – [[Ruth Westheimer|Dr. Ruth Westheimer]] (Dr. Ruth), sex therapist and author.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
* 2010 – [[Kevin Bleyer]], writer for the ''Daily Show.''<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Scott Simon]], NPR radio host and journalist.<ref name=":1" />
* 2013 – [[Estelle Parsons]], actress.<ref name=":3" />
* 2013 – [[Kay Koplovitz]], founder of [[USA Network]] TV channel.<ref name=":3" />

=== News ===
[[File:Wolf Blitzer 2017.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Wolf Blitzer]]]]
* 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997 – [[Chelsea Clinton]], former special correspondent for NBC News.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/fashion/18CHELSEA.html|title=On the Trail of Chelsea Clinton's Wedding|last=Stolberg|first=Sheryl Gay|date=2010-07-16|last2=Schweber|first2=Nate|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>
* 1993 – [[Wolf Blitzer]], journalist and TV news anchor for CNN.<ref name=":2" />
* 1993 – [[Peter Arnett]], journalist and TV news anchor for CNN.<ref name=":2" />
* 1993 – [[Andrea Mitchell]], TV news anchor for NBC.<ref name=":2" />
* 1993 – [[Edwin Yoder]], Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.<ref name=":2" />
* 1993 – [[Joe Klein]], journalist and columnist.<ref name=":2" />
* 1993 – [[Howard Fineman]], journalist and columnist.<ref name=":2" />
* 2010 – [[Alex Jones (journalist)|Alex Jones]], Pulitzer Prize winning journalist.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Esther Dyson]], journalist and angel investor in technology and healthcare.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Jennifer 8. Lee|Jennifer 8 Lee]], journalist and author.<ref name=":1" />

=== Military and intelligence ===
* 1993 – [[Elmo Zumwalt]], former admiral of the US Navy.<ref name=":2" />
* 2010 – Hank Crumpler, former top Afghanistan CIA agent and U.S. ambassador for counter-terrorism.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Valerie Plame]], former CIA officer.<ref name=":1" />
* 2013 – [[Stanley A. McChrystal]], retired US Army General.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://abcnews4.com/archive/100th-renaissance-weekend-convenes-for-new-years-in-charleston|title=Innovative leaders come to Charleston for Renaissance Weekend|last=|first=|website=ABC 4 News, of Mount Pleasant South Carolina|publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-20}}</ref>

=== Science and technology ===
[[File:Joan Higginbotham.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Joan Higginbotham]]]]
* 2010, 2015 – William Phillips, physics nobel laureate.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Mark Kelly]], NASA space shuttle Commander.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Joan Higginbotham]], former NASA astronaut.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Flossie Wong-Staal|Flossie Wong-Stahl]], [[virologist]] and molecular biologist, the first to discover HIV.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Peter Norton]], programmer and founder of [[Norton Utilities]].<ref name=":1" />

=== Education ===
* 2010 – [[E. Gordon Gee|Gordon Gee]], President of West Virginia University and former President of Ohio State University.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Lawrence S. Bacow|Lawrence Bacow]], lawyer and economist, former President of Tufts University.,<ref name=":1" /> President of [[Harvard University]].
* 2010 – [[Howard Gardner]], Harvard educator, director of Harvard Project Zero and co-founder of the Good Project.<ref name=":1" />
* 2010 – [[Sherry Turkle]], professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.<ref name=":1" />


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.renaissanceweekend.org Renaissance Weekend Official Website]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/31/us/bill-hillary-and-other-plain-folks-are-all-set-for-one-heady-weekend.html?pagewanted=all New York Times Article about Renaissance weekend in 1993]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121104211003/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-712604.html Washington Post article about Clintons' attendance driving up size of event]
* [http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/dec/28/amazing-minds-meeting-here/ South Carolina Local News Story on Annual New Year's meeting in 2010]


[[Category:Social events]]
[[Category:Social events]]

Latest revision as of 03:16, 23 November 2024

Renaissance Weekend is the name for a recurring series of invitation-only gatherings founded and hosted by Linda and Philip Lader. The concept was founded in 1981 with the objective of bridging traditional divides of professions, politics, religion, race and age. It substantially increased in prominence when repeat-participant Bill Clinton was elected president in 1992.[1] A few other notable past participants include Hillary Clinton,[2] Supreme Court Justices Harry Blackmun,[2] Ruth Bader Ginsburg[3] and Stephen Breyer,[3] Donald Rumsfeld,[1] Daniel Schorr,[1] Wolf Blitzer[4] Buzz Aldrin,[3] and Mary Chapin Carpenter[4] among many others.

Organized several times throughout the year, each Renaissance Weekend consists of seminars, discussions, informal lectures and performances. Substantive conversations and program contributions by all participants are fostered by a casual, welcoming culture. Civility, non-partisanship, non-commercialism and public-spirited impact are the gatherings’ hallmarks.

History

[edit]

Renaissance Weekend was founded, and continues to be hosted, by Linda and Philip Lader as a forum. The largest gathering is still held around New Year's with the smaller weekends throughout the year.
More than 155 Renaissance Weekends have taken place[citation needed].

Among the 60 families who initiated the first Weekend on Hilton Head Island were Marian Wright Edelman, David Gergen, Fred Malek, Governors Richard Riley and Terry Sanford, Stan Smith, Diane Sawyer, and Tim Wirth[citation needed]. Republican and Democratic candidates for US President, and 26 Nobel laureates, have attended. Presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton co-chaired Renaissance Weekend's 25th anniversary[citation needed]. The 40th anniversary Weekend was celebrated by 1,000 participants[citation needed].

Format and Activities

[edit]

Attendees design their own schedules from the available activities, talks, and sessions in the event program. The program features a range of topics connected to civic, industry, political and arts interests. Additional activities are available for youths in attendance.

People from a range of professional backgrounds and interests attend the events. Invitees are nominated by past participants. The criteria for invitation are professional innovation and/or distinction, potential contribution to the program's breadth and depth, and likely commitment to Renaissance's off-the-record, civility, non-partisan and non-commercial spirit and traditions.

The gatherings are organized by a non-profit institute. To preserve its independence no corporate sponsorships are sought. Attendees cover the cost of participation.

Specific Renaissance Weekends’ attendance are not disclosed publicly; the gatherings discourage personal screen device usage; and the Renaissance Institute does not seek publicity. Commercial or overtly promotional activity is not permitted at the Weekends.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "RENAISSANCE WEEKEND GIVES REBIRTH TO AN INDUSTRY". Washington Post. 2024-01-07. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  2. ^ a b Jehl, Douglas (1992-12-30). "Clinton, Others Begin 5-Day 'Thinking Party' : Retreat: Renaissance Weekend is casual in tone, intense in discussion from spiritual to political". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  3. ^ a b c "Participants | Renaissance Weekend". www.renaissanceweekend.org. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  4. ^ a b Shumake, Liz (2023-01-27). "Remembering Renaissance Weekend - HiltonHead.com". Hilton Head, SC | HiltonHead.com. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
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