Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof captivated the Aronoff Center’s audience on Sept. 30 at the annual Mary S. Stern Lecture Series.
Presented by the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Kristof spoke about his recent memoir, Chasing Hope, which recounted his career. Kristof, a current New York Times columnist, has lived on four continents, reported on six, and traveled to more than 150 countries.
Kristof opened his lecture by noting that “great libraries are markers of great cities.” His talk covered his breadth of experience as a reporter, from century-defining events like the Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, the Yemeni civil war, and the Darfur genocide in Sudan to class dynamics in working class America.
Reflecting on ‘A Reporter’s Life’
We asked some of those who attended this year's Mary S. Stern Lecture to share their thoughts about the Lecture Series and having the chance to hear from Nicholas Kristof.
Ahead of the lecture, Steve Kroger of Westwood shared that he came because he reads Kristof's work in the New York Times. "He’s such an optimist," he said. "We need a little jolt of that right now.”
Another customer, Sybil Daniels of College Hill, read Chasing Hope for her book club.
“I absolutely loved it," she said. "I have so much admiration for the author and his entire family. I’m really thrilled to meet someone who has accomplished as much as he’s done.”
Following the lecture, we caught up with attendees waiting in line to get copies of Chasing Hope signed by Kristof. A mother-daughter duo, Tarah and Winsor Holman, spoke to the lecture's value, citing its accessible cost.
“It encourages people to engage with topics they may not normally think or speak about," said Winsor, the daughter. "I think people who are so prominent in the field, it’s important to hear their thoughts on topics such as what [Kristof] spoke on."
When asked about a moment that stuck out to them, Tarah added: “I think when he was talking about making a difference on a personal level. We cannot solve the problems, but we can make a difference for one person.”
Another attendee, Deepti, who recently signed up for a Library card, also reflected on the lecture: “It’s not just a single story; it’s everything put together. Knowing everything that’s going on in this world, in this country — especially for someone like him who has been there and seen so many things but still has a positive outlook — is really inspiring. "
Continue the Conversation on Oct. 6
The Corryville Branch will host a post-lecture conversation on Monday, Oct. 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. Explore what we learned at the Mary S. Stern Lecture with New York Times columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner, and bestselling author Nicholas Kristof. This event is facilitated by an expert journalist.
Later this week, the Library will post reflections about the lecture from four local student journalists.
The Mary S. Stern Lecture Series is possible through an endowment to The Library Foundation.
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