Theron heats up the Yard

Woman of the Year undaunted by snow

By Colleen Walsh

Harvard News Office

A typical New England wintry mix of wind, swirling snow, and temperatures that hovered close to freezing did nothing to cool the spirits of Charlize Theron, the 2008 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year.

The honoree, elegant in a long, flowing gray wool coat, matching leather gloves, scarf, and impossibly high gray satin pumps, was red-hot as she joked and laughed on a brief tour of the Yard that began her day of festivities on Feb. 7.

“You guys are testing me,” she mockingly complained of the bitter weather. “I know it.”

The guided walk, led by Adam Goldenberg ’08, a member of the Hasty Pudding cast, began at Johnston Gate next to Harvard Hall, looped around University Hall past Tercentenary Theatre, and ended at John Harvard’s famed statue.

Her blonde hair down and perfectly coiffed, sporting long drop earrings with a pearl at the ends, Theron stopped in front of University Hall to collect herself, quipping, “I can’t do this, I am trying to put my glove on and I am poking you in the eye,” as her blue and white umbrella came dangerously close to Goldenberg’s face, adding she wanted to avoid a lawsuit.

Upon learning the historic hall was once known for its famous food fights, the Academy Award winner gave a mischievous smile and exclaimed, “I love food fights.”

With the snow blowing upward into her eyes, Theron playfully suggested the organizers consider moving the award to a warmer month.

“I bet this is beautiful in the spring,” she said as the group passed the Tercentenary Theatre’s grounds. “You should think about changing the Woman of the Year to the spring, just a little side note.”

The native South African didn’t miss a chance to chide her host for reminding her of an earlier fact he’d imparted about John Harvard’s library.

“I didn’t forget,” she said. “You’re treating me like I’m a blonde. This is color, my friend,” she laughed.

As the tour wrapped up by the statue, Theron eagerly stepped up to give Harvard a proper greeting.

“Hi, John,” she said kindly, rubbing his left shoe, worn down by the thousands of others before her that have done the same. “How you doing?”

Upon learning it wasn’t John Harvard himself, she stepped away quickly, with a curt “goodbye,” to laughter from the small crowd that accompanied her.

After the tour, a pleased Goldenberg said he was impressed with Theron’s quick wit and her height.

“I am 6-foot-7,” he said, “and she was looking me in the eye.”