It sounds like the premise of a bad joke, but... Two American cultural icons, one famous and one infamous, head the list of keynote speakers at the 2021 Yakima Town Hall Speaker Series. All joking aside, both basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Monica Lewinsky are coming to Yakima.


Both are honoring previous commitments to come speak at the Capitol Theater in downtown Yakima after the coronavirus pandemic tabled the series in 2020. Lewinsky, originally slated to speak last October, is now scheduled to appear on Wednesday, October 20 at 11:00 a.m. She now advocates an anti-bullying message.

Los Angeles Lakers and NBA Hall of Fame cager Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, kicks the series off on Wednesday, September 15, also at 11:00 a.m.

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Who else is coming to Yakima to speak at the Capitol Theater?

"127 Hours" Press Conference - 2010 Toronto International Film Festival
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Aron Ralston, subject of the movie 127 Hours where his true story was portrayed by actor James Franco, will appear February 23, 2022. His story of courage, perseverance and the human condition should inspire one and all.

Ralston was forced to sever his own arm off with a pocket knife after being trapped in a crevasse for over five days.

TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals
Ben Gabbe
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Also on the docket will be Ruth Reichl. Described as a "bestselling author, food critic, and judge on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, Reichl is 'one of the nation’s most influential figures in the food world,' according to The Seattle Times." Reichl will continue the series with an engagement on March 23rd of 2022.

Kansas City Chiefs v Houston Texans
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Closing the series on April 20th of 2022 will be the trailblazing Sarah Thomas. Back in February, Thomas became the first woman to ever officiate in the Super Bowl and continues to work in the National Football League (NFL).

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LOOK: The Most Famous Actor Born Every Year

LOOK: The most famous actress born the same year as you

Many of the actresses in this story not only made a name for themselves through their collection of iconic performances, but also through the selfless, philanthropic nature with which many of them approached their stardom. In an age of flipping the script on societal norms, many of these actresses are using their voices and platforms to be advocates for those who are otherwise unheard.

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