Elaine Chao was Secretary of Labor.
I was working on Unseenamerica for Bread and Roses
Cultural program (1199SEIU).
People told their stories with photos showing
what they see. Elaine Chao invited us
to exhibit the pictures at the Department of Labor.
At the opening I stood with Elaine Chao. She was Brooks Brothers
blue. I wore an asymmetrical purple silk dress by
a Rasta friend who had a tiny funky store downtown.
I’m coming to New York in a week said Elaine Chao.
And then, the remarkable next sentence:
Let’s go out to lunch and go shopping. Can you
take me to the man who made your dress?
I knew I’d want to tell the I Went Shopping with Elaine Chao
story one day so I said YES.
I called my friend and told him not to smoke in the store
when I brought Elaine Chao there he did not know her
and I also explained that she had enough money
to buy a dress that could pay his rent
and amazingly enough, we went out to lunch
and although I didn’t like her much
she did seem narrative worthy and we went to the store
bought three dresses I’m sure she never wore them
my friend was good with his rent for a while and yesterday
when she resigned from the Trump administration
she was wearing her Brooks Brothers suit.
Hi Esther
Funny story. Life has a way of delivering these nuggets that you never know will sit in the spotlight for a moment or two. Lovely! And I really loved tht Brooks Brother suit.
Alice
Love this!
I was amazed to find out that McConnell and Chao are married.
Seems an odd couple to me. But, maybe they are both political animals and more Brooks Brothers than not!
Amazing storing. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and well.
Fantastic! Wonderful story.
Great post — I shared it with Amanda — she couldn’t stop laughing!
Terrific story Esther. So good for a moment of laughter and light es in this bleak time. Love Jane
Love it, Esther. Thanks. I’m going to share it with friends and relatives who’ve met you. They need the smile too.
Great story, Es. Loved your story. We assume your lunchtime conversation did not involve politics!
This is a fantastic story! Did she try on the dresses and model them? Is the store still there?
Kathleen has a great question…did she model them for you…?
When I learned that Elaine Chao is married to Mitch McConnell, I wondered, isn’t there a conflict of interest? job in Congress married to job with the Executive…?
Marvolous!. I remember thank Photo Show “Unseenamerica”
Esther, I fell off my chair reading this.
Thank you fabulous Esther.
Marlena
I met her in 2001. She was gracious but did not invite me to lunch.
I never met Chao, never wanted to do so, and certainly would never have lunch with her. You’re much more adventurous than I am, or perhaps more curious, in a funky way. Just stay safe, my friend.
dear STUART please email me your phone number again. Love to catch up. xxxxx
Thanks for making me smile today
And now she can wear them! She and Mitch can go wild, admittedly that’s hard to picture.
Or maybe once there are parties again (as if GOP stopped), she’ll go as Esther Cohen.
I have a picture of Ann-as-Esther when you lent me a raincoat and hat.
that would be fun