WASHINGTON—The National Museum of Women in the Arts will present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Lynda Carter Friday, November 7 at NMWA’s Annual Fall Benefit. At the event, Lynda will perform a variety of pop and Broadway hits from her current Cabaret show.

Before winning our hearts as Wonder Woman in the television series, Lynda was an accomplished singer performing in Las Vegas and clubs around the country. After the series ended, Lynda had the distinction of starring in five of her own network television specials, several of which were Emmy-nominated. She has performed onstage with many of the world’s most popular singers, including Tom Jones, Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles and Ben Vereen.

Lynda Carter made her professional singing debut at 14 in Tempe, Arizona. She studied classical dance for seven years at the School Ballet of Phoenix. She also studied piano, and had her dramatic training with Laura Zucker, Stella Adler, Charles Conrad, Milton Katselas, Lieux Dressler, and Greta and Sandra Seacat. In 1973, she won the Miss World-U.S.A. title and shortly thereafter outdistanced hundreds of other actresses for the part of “Wonder Woman.”

In addition to having a profound impact on American popular culture, the iconic Wonder Woman character has been featured in contemporary art works such as Dara Birnbaum’s 1978-79 video, Technology, Transformation: Wonder Woman. Birnbaum’s work was part of the landmark exhibition WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution, which was on view at NMWA in fall 2008.

The 2008 NMWA Annual Fall Benefit celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Shenson Chamber Music Series. A portion of proceeds from the benefit goes to fund the series, which offers concerts featuring emerging and established composers and musicians from around the world.

Tickets are still available for the benefit and are $350. To make a reservation, contact Abbey Smith at 202-266-2815 or email asmith@nmwa.org

The previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award were Roberta Peters in 2000 and Judy Collins in 2001.

The Shenson Chamber Music Series kicks off on March 11, 2009, with pianist Jessica Krash and the National Gallery of Art String Quartet, continues on April 1, 2009, with violist Kim Kashkashian and closes on May 20, 2009, with pianist Valentina Lisitsa. For reservations call 202-783-7373 or email reservations@nmwa.org

Composer and pianist Jessica Krash and the National Gallery of Art String Quartet will premiere Krash’s musical composition inspired by the collections at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the National Gallery of Art. Following this premiere, the Quartet will round out the performance.

WEDNESDAY | APRIL 1, 2009 | 7:30-10 p.m.
National Museum of Women in the Arts Performance Hall
Kim Kashkashian, viola

NMWA welcomes Kim Kashkashian, a world-renowned violist recognized for her impressive talent in recitals and with major orchestras.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 20, 2009 | 7:30-10 p.m.
National Museum of Women in the Arts Perforance Hall
Valentina Lisitsa, piano

NMWA concludes it Shenson Chamber Music Concert season with brilliant Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisista, who promises a dazzling performance.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the only museum solely dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in the visual, performing and literary arts. Founded as a private, not-for-profit organization by Wilhelmina Cole Holladay in 1981 and opened in 1987, the museum honors women artists of the past, promotes the accomplishments of women artists of the present, and assures the place of women artists in the future.