Author Anastasia Rubis was guest speaker at the AAUW annual luncheon held at Beacon Hill Country Club last week, and presented the details of her newest book, Oriana, in an unusual and thought provocative way for the nearly 100 members and guests at the gala event..
Rubis, who also told the story of why she was personally fascinated by the subject of her novel, introduced her husband at the beginning of her talk, explaining she would present her program in the format of being interviewed by a newspaper reporter.
And she did.
Orianna Fallaci was a rebellious female in Italy, and her story as told by Rubis is one of guts, rebellion, love and regrets [n the biographical novel, Rubis tells how the daughter who fought beside her father when she was 14 and he was part of Italy’s resistance against the Nazis eventually moved to New York where she was hailed as the greatest interviewer of her time, made famous by her courage and hard hitting interviews. She fell in love with one of the men she interviewed, a Greek poet who was ten years her junior, and traveled the world with him, continuing to do her interviewing, her writing, and setting the pace for journalism.
Rubis holds an undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Brown University and a masters from Montclair State University, where she was an adjunct professor of English.
Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Huffington Post, New York Observer, and literary journals. She also co-wrote and co-directed a 13-minute documentary titled Breakfast Lunch Dinner: The Greek Diner Story on YouTube.
AAUW Northern Monmouth County Branch president Marian Wattenbarger, in thanking everyone for attending the scholarship lunch, also expressed thanks to all the local businesses who support their mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. Their fundraising programs fund local scholarships, educational programs and academic awards in addition to support programs of the national AAUW organization.
Local businesses who helped support the Scholarship Luncheon, many with gifts for the traditional and popular raffle, are Anderson’s Florist of Metuchen,, the Bagel Station and Greek Spot, in Red Bank, Bahr’s Restaurant and Lusty Lobster, Highlands, Balance Massage and Energy in Hazlet, Brennan’s Deli with locations in Oakhurst and Middletown, as well as Rumson, Delicious Orchards, Colts Neck, Little Silver Fish Market, Massage Envy, Shrewsbury Car Wash, Trader Joe’s, all of Shrewsbury, Organize Your Space, Atlantic Highlands, Patricia’s Holmdel, Porta, Asbury Park, River Road Books, Fair Haven, Wild Birds Unlimited, Middletown, and The Turning Point, and Starbucks’ with several locations in the area Salt Creek Grille, Rumson, and Seabrook Senior Living and Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, Tinton Falls.
