Interview by Dominique M. Carson and Dr. Pola Rosen
Transcribed by Dominique M. Carson
Tina Flaherty is an accomplished author, businesswoman and philanthropist. She is known as "One of America's top corporate women." Flaherty's career has truly expanded; she got her start as a TV and radio personality and then became a corporate Vice President for three organizations: Colgate-Palmolive, Grey Advertising, and GTE (now Verizon). She has received many accolades in public service, academic achievement, and writing including an honorary degree from St. John's University. Flaherty took the time out to converse with Education Update about her third book, What Jackie Taught Us: Lessons from the Remarkable Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, which highlights Jackie's significant contributions to America and to society. In her book, Flaherty explains why Jacqueline Kennedy's memory and life will forever engage the public.
Education Update (EU): What made you decide to publish a book on the late Jackie Kennedy?
Tina Flaherty (TF): I was a Vice President of three corporations. It was eighteen men and only one woman and I was that one woman. I broke grounds in 1976. But, when you're ambitious yourself, you always wonder what gives people their edge, what makes them? Why is Jackie so beloved? Why does the world idolize Jackie? It was curiosity and I knew she had a lot to teach because she was so smart. I wanted to know what gave Jackie her edge.
EU: What other information you can tell us about Jackie Kennedy that we didn't know?
TF: Jackie almost married another man; his name was John Husted. He was socially prominent but Jackie's mother was not that keen on him. Jackie wrote in her yearbook that her ambition was not to be another cake-baking housewife. She met John Kennedy at a dinner party and while at first it didn't click, she decided he had everything she wanted in a man. Another thing I should tell you about Jackie that most people don't realize is that she had a negative self-image. Her mother told her she was not feminine, her shoulders were broad, and her hips were too wide.
EU: When Jackie married John F. Kennedy, what job did he have?
TF: He was a junior senator.
EU: Now you live in the same building where Jackie Kennedy lived?
TF: Yes, I live in the same building where Jackie spent the final 30 years of her life. I've been here since 1989 and Jackie died in 1994.
EU: Did you ever see her in the lobby or the elevator? Did you ever invite her for a cup of tea?
TF: I didn't know Jackie well. We would have a nod and a smile. I did have an interaction with her son, John Jr. because he loved dogs. He came over to speak to me in the lobby of the building when he saw me walk in with my dog, Liam. He wanted to ask me whether I thought it was fair to have a dog in a New York City apartment instead of providing a big yard for them to play. I told him it didn't matter, as dogs just want to be wherever their pet parent is.
EU: How did you decide which of the 14 opinion leaders, as you call them, would be featured?
TF: The original book came out in 2004 but this book, in 2014, is expanded to include new and original essays from a striking array of people who are in art, politics, fashion, and history. Some of the people knew her. For example, Ken Barwick, who was president emeritus of the Municipal Art Society, shared with Jackie a focus on saving Grand Central Station. Ashton Hawkins, Executive VP of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, knew Jackie well and wrote a wonderful essay about her dedication to the museum. Hawkins was frequently Jackie's escort. Best selling author, Dr. Andrew Roberts just came out with a book about Napoleon. I wanted to know if Napolean and Jackie had any similarities and indeed he says they did. They both had the gift of self-awareness.
Liz Smith, an author and columnist, is in the book and it begins with her introduction. She said Jackie didn't exactly despise her fame; she just didn't want to cooperate with it unless it was on her own terms. Jackie was the most attractive, exasperating, intelligent, frustrating historical icon ever. She told the media that publicity was okay for her just as long as it was on her own terms. It was good when it was on the subject matter she wanted but otherwise she didn't want to cooperate.
EU: Did you write about Jackie and her men?
TF: Yes, there's a whole chapter. Her relationship with Maurice Tempelsmen was, I think, the most satisfying relationship for Jackie. He put her first and Maurice invested her money wisely; 45-250 million to be exact. The other two didn't put her first. One was running the country and Onassis was his own kind of guy but in the case of Maurice, he put her first.
EU: There was some discussion why Jackie married Onassis. Some say she married him for his money and because he would give her the privacy she wanted and shield her from the public. What do you think?
TF: Some people forget the year she married him; it was an important year as it was 1968. Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. I think it was June 5, 1968 and her famous quote was "they're killing Kennedys again, my children are next, I hate this country, I want to leave." And there was Onassis in the background on a private island, which was very hard to get to. He had an army of 75 and a private airline. But, he was also an interesting man.
EU: How do you think Jackie influenced society?
TF: I think she influenced society because she was a do-er. She had big dreams but she made sure that she made them happen. Jackie changed the image of America. Before her we were thought of as the ugly Americans without any culture or taste. Jackie put on these wonderful and magnificent State dinners at the White House where she showcased the best of what America offered to people.
EU: Do you think she would've been thrilled with the way her children turned out?
TF: I think she would've been pleased with Caroline because she was a hands-on mother like she was. I think with John, her eyes would light up just the mention of his name. I think she would've of been proud of John because John had a very creative nature like his mother. Jackie appreciated the fact that he loved the written word.
EU: Can you shed some light on Jackie's education?
TF: She went to Miss Porter's School and then spent two years at Vassar College. She studied a year abroad in Paris, France, attending classes at the Sorbonne during her junior year. That was the first time she felt like she didn't have to hide her natural intelligence. Jackie's mother told her that men don't like smart women so Jackie used to hide it and not answer questions. But, her intelligence attracted Jack.
EU: Did Jackie do anything to spoil her reputation?
TF: I can't really say but when her she and Onassis got divorced, he tried to put out some dirty information about her like her spending habits. Jackie always acted like a lady but she did have a will of iron. She didn't like to be denied, she didn't give up.
EU: What was the most gripping thing you found out about Jacqueline Kennedy?
TF: She was a person of great depth, both intellectually and culturally. It was a pleasure getting to know the depths of this woman and I am quite sure she will live in our memories forever and not just with our generation, but generations beyond.
EU: As an author, how do you plan to keep Jackie's legacy alive now that you have published the book?
TF: I've been fortunate enough to lecture at various venues, including Marymount Manhattan College and the World War II museum and recently, the Union League club. I want to keep her legacy alive because I don't think she ever received the credit that she deserved. #
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