Dear fab, P2012, S60, L,and all you lovely ladies for Oprah

Body: 

In line with what we have been talking about and all of Prolapse2012's hard twitter work....I am thinking we should nominate Christine for a MacArthur grant. I woke up this AM dreaming that we all decided to do this:-) It cannot be an email or a tweet, but a beautifully composed letter and I am hoping, somehow, endorsed by all of us in this forum. If ever there was a person worthy of this, it is Christine. The grant is large, given freely, and not a response to past work (although an acknowledgement of it) but an encouragement in the creative work that is yet to come. All fields are open to this grant. If I am successful in writing such a letter, are you all behind me? Can I sign it as nominated by all of us who are here receiving hope and help from WW? Do any of you have experience with nominations for this grant?

Nightingale, I don't know anything about the nominating process for something like this. But I will absolutely sign such a letter, who among us would not? It's a great idea and you are great for thinking of it. - Surviving [PS, Louise can give you my e-mail address]

MsNightingale, we can do it. Let's see if Christine fits into one of their categories. I'm in too. Yes forum, email, twitter however you want to connect.

I just found out that they do not accept unsolicited nominations. They have anonymous external nominators out there looking for new topics, talent etc. I will continue the research in hopes of finding an avenue to bring Christine to their attention. I will keep you posted.

The MacArthur Fellows Program or MacArthur Fellowship (nicknamed the Genius Grant) is an award given by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation each year to typically 20 to 40 United States citizens or residents, of any age and working in any field, who "show exceptional merit and promise for continued and enhanced creative work".

According to the Foundation's website, "the fellowship is not a reward for past accomplishment, but rather an investment in a person's originality, insight, and potential." The current amount of the award is $500,000, paid as quarterly installments over five years. As of 2007, there have been 756 recipients who have received a total of more than $350 million. Recipients have been as young as 18 and as old as 82.[1]

The Fellowship has no application. People are nominated anonymously by a body of nominators who submit recommendations to a small selection committee of about a dozen people, also anonymous. The committee then reviews every nominee and passes along their recommendations to the President and the board of directors. Most new MacArthur Fellows first learn that they have been considered when they receive the congratulatory phone call. An editorial published in The New York Times by MacArthur Fellow James Collins describes the experience.[2]

Wouldn't we form a "body" to nominate her?

.....on that nominating "body"! - S60

on that letter Ms Nightingale.

You have found it. I thought we could just submita beautiful letter...being some 6,000 on this forum and all, and yes, we could be the body of nominators. My research today however told me that the nominators are people they have chosen to be nominators. I am still searching that out however........ Yes dear fab, I am working on the letter....just hope to find a direction to send it......and if we can send it directly to the selection committee (where are they?) or does it have to be sent by their external nominator.....I will make time this weekend to work on this and I will keep you posted.

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How about plan to post it to their foundation addressed to "nominators" they might prove grateful for information about possible candidates. At least, pending further info.