“Famous people are always shrouded in mystery…and we’re always curious to know what they are like…and most importantly whether they’re people just likes us.”
—Justina Ciapaite
“Life is filled with defeat and you just pick yourself up and you go on.”
—Senior Senator Dianne Feinstein
Cecile and I were surprised how emotional we got when the breaking news from all media outlets announced
that that Senator Feinstein had died at the age of 90. She left behind an incredible legacy that began
with the tragic 1978 assassinations of Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in San Francisco. She emerged as the first female mayor of the city by the bay after serving as the first female president of the SF Board of Supervisors in 1971. In 1992 she went to Washington after winning a special election and became California’s first female senator along with Barbara Boxer. She was known for her pragmatism and reaching across the aisle.
Cecile and I had encountered Senator Feinstein many times. Cecile had frequented the same hair and nail salon in Union Square. She chit chatted with her a few times on a few occasions. A little over two years before her 1992 special election to fill the spot vacated by Pete Wilson who beat Feinstein in a gubernatorial race, I had spoken to her briefly at the salon while Cecile was preparing to get a manicure and pedicure. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I turned to my left and saw her seated very comfortably with curl rollers in her hair and getting a mani-pedi. She was very friendly and accessible. I told her I was getting a massage while Cecile was getting a mani-pedi. I prematurely congratulated her as the next would be governor. Of course, as mentioned above, Pete Wilson prevailed, and despite the loss, her political career blossomed.
Another serendipitous encounter included seeing her at the SF airport for our trip to Maui while she was preparing to board on a flight to one of the other islands. She had a ton of baggage that our young, little, curious son Jason was only too happy to climb upon. The last time we saw Feinstein, was at a celebration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama in San Francisco for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his non-violent struggle to regain sovereignty in Tibet. There was a very moving interfaith service afterwards. Cecile and I had invited a rabbi and his wife to attend. Feinstein and her husband were long time friends of the Dalai Lama. Her late husband Richard Blum brought her to Dharmsala to meet His Holiness in 1978. As Senator she was involved in Institutionalizing the United States support for Tibet. Her husband, a long time Bay Area businessman was the Founder and chaired The American Himalayan Foundation to improve education and health, preserve Tibetan culture, and prevent girl trafficking, causes Cecile and I have supported on and off over the years.
