Ford’s Theatre Society will celebrate the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln at its annual gala performance on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Ford’s Theatre. For more than 45 years, Ford’s Theatre Society has hosted this bipartisan event, which provides crucial support to the nonprofit’s theatrical and educational programs. As part of the evening, Ford’s will recognize EGOT-winning, trailblazing actress Rita Moreno and Ford’s Theatre trustee, health care advocate and patron of the arts Marlene A. Malek with the Lincoln Medal-an award given by the Ford’s Theatre Society to a person or persons who, through their body of work, accomplishments or personal attributes, exemplify the lasting legacy and mettle of character embodied by the most beloved president in our nation’s history, President Lincoln.
“Every year, we reflect upon Abraham Lincoln’s legacy as a complex and inspiring American through the Lincoln Medal,” said Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. “We are honored to present this year’s Lincoln Medals to two exceptional women who, like Lincoln, have shaped American life and artistic expression for decades, dedicating their lives to the pursuit of positive change – from changing the trajectory of cancer research and being a stalwart patron of the arts like Malek, to blazing a trail for women and artists of color like Moreno.”
We are honored to have First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, serve as the Honorary Chair of the gala this year. The First Lady is joined by Honorary Co-Chairs: Mrs. Rima Al-Sabah, Mrs. Abigail P. Blunt, Mrs. Marcia Carlucci, Hon. Elaine L. Chao, Mrs. Dianne Cleaver, Mrs. Sandy Cornyn, Hon. Deborah I. Dingell, Mrs. Robin Hickenlooper, Mrs. Kennisandra Jeffries, Mrs. Ritu Ahuja Khanna, Mrs. Frances R. Lindner, Mrs. Marlene Malek, Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal Markey, Mrs. Judy McCarthy, Ms. Catherine Merrill, Mrs. Noémi K. Neidorff, Mrs. Kelley Paul, Mr. Paul Pelosi, Mrs. Vicki Risch, Mrs. Hilary Geary Ross and Ms. Iris Weinshall.
Ford’s Theatre gratefully acknowledges Marcia Myers Carlucci and Michael R. Hemmerich for their support of the 2023 Lincoln Medal presentation.
The Ford’s Theatre Annual Gala is made possible by the generous support of Lead Sponsor General Dynamics and Red Carpet Sponsor Ovation. The Willard InterContinental Hotel is the Official Hotel of The Ford’s Theatre Annual Gala.
For information on tickets and sponsorships for the Ford’s Theatre Annual Gala, please contact the Ford’s Theatre Development office at gala@fords.org or 202-347-4835.
Ford’s Theatre Society continues to prioritize the health and safety of its artists, volunteers, staff and patrons. Current safety protocols are available on our website at www.fords.org/visit-us/plan-your-visit/covid-19-health-and-safety. We strongly encourage face masks during performances.
Past recipients of the Lincoln Medal include The Honorable James E. Clyburn (2022) and music industry legend Clive Davis, Jr. (2022); General Colin L. Powell and Alma J. Powell (2019) and political humorist Mark Russell (2019); philanthropist and businesswoman Sheila C. Johnson (2018) and golf champion Jack Nicklaus (2018); former NFL player Peyton W. Manning (2017); civil rights activist Diane Nash (2015); Congressman John D. Dingell (2014) and actor James Earl Jones (2014); former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice (2013); Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel (2012); human rights activist Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (2010) and Justice Albie Sachs (2010); filmmaker George Lucas (2009), singer Aretha Franklin (2009) and actor Sidney Poitier (2009); Dr. Maya Angelou (2008), actor Ruby Dee (2008) and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (2008); and Congressman John Lewis (2007).
About Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno is a true national treasure, a cultural icon and a Hollywood and Broadway legend, having been honored for her acclaimed performances during her more than 80-year career. In 1977, she became the third artist to achieve EGOT status, having won all four major awards in the entertainment industry: two Emmys, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. Her career began with her Broadway debut at age 13. She has over 170 credits as an actor on IMDb, has starred on Broadway and London’s West End, appeared in more than 40 feature films and television shows and performed in regional theaters, including her one-woman show, Life Without Makeup, at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. She tours across the U.S. for speaking engagements and lectures on the performing arts and diversity and inclusion.
Moreno was recently cast in the Netflix film Family Leave, starring opposite Jennifer Garner, for release Christmas 2023. Other recent film credits include 80 for Brady with NFL great Tom Brady. This spring 2023, she appears as Vin Diesel‘s grandmother in Fast X of the Fast and Furious franchise. Moreno co-starred and served as an Executive Producer on Steven Spielberg‘s 2022 remake of West Side Story. Her documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, had its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival and was released in theaters nationwide. It is now on Netflix. Moreno co-starred in the critically acclaimed Latinx reimagining of Norman Lear‘s classic sitcom, One Day At A Time.
Moreno received the Peabody Career Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honor and the 50th Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for her lifetime contributions to American culture. She was the Grand Marshal for the Rose Parade and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush and the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama.
About Marlene A. Malek
Marlene A. Malek is a community activist, health care advocate and a patron of the arts. Mrs. Malek is Vice-Chairman of Friends of Cancer Research, our country’s leading voice in advocating for policies and solutions to get treatment to patients in the safest and quickest way. She serves on the Board of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, Duke University‘s Cancer Institute in Durham, North Carolina and the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Leadership Council. Mrs. Malek received a President Appointment to the National Cancer Advisory Board, which is part of the National Institute of Health, and served a six-year term.
Mrs. Malek is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Marymount University and was awarded the University’s Gold Medal for Community Leadership and Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award. The Malek School of Nursing Professions at Marymount University is named in her honor, for her service and commitment. She was a Presidential Appointee to the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees from 2002-2008 and serves on their International Committee. She serves on Boards of Trustees for Ford’s Theatre Society, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Vital Voices Global Partnership, Explore Children’s Museum and WETA.
Mrs. Malek is a member of the Executive Roundtable of the Republican Governors and serves on the George & Barbara Bush Foundation Board. She served on the Vice President’s Residence Foundation Board in 2000-2008 and in 2016-2020. In 2019, Washingtonian named her a “Washingtonian of the Year” -one of the most powerful women in Washington- for her work supporting cancer research. In 1979, she graduated from Marymount University School of Nursing. She lives in McLean, Virginia. She has two grown children and five grandchildren.
