The
American Institute for Stuttering (AIS) hosted its third annual “Freeing
Voices, Changing Lives” benefit gala on Monday, June 8, 2009
at the Tribeca Rooftop in New York City. The evening was hosted
by AIS friend and actor, Sam Waterston, star of TV's Law and Order.
The evening honored Joe Moglia, chairman of TD Ameritrade and British
actress, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, Sunshine Cleaning)
both who have personally dealt with stuttering. Susan Glessner and
Seth H. Waugh, CEO, Deutsche Bank Americas served as co-chairs for
the event. The reception was followed by dinner and a moving “Freeing
Voices, Changing Lives” Leadership Award presentation. More than
half a million dollars was raised to benefit the programs at the
American Institute for Stuttering.
AIS had another evening of positive messages and poignant remarks. Last
year's gala honoree, then-Senator Joe Biden, said, "In my darkest
days I would not trade my stuttering for what it's taught me and what
it's made me. It's been the single most beneficial thing that's ever
happened to me... having overcome it." The message of the evening
was that the debilitating effects of stuttering can be overcome and was
represented by the 2009 honorees.
