The Beverly Hills Public Library will host a complimentary evening with Olympic Bronze medalist Anita DeFrantz tonight at 7 p.m.

DeFrantz (photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills)

DeFrantz, who captained the U.S. women’s rowing team of eight to win a bronze medal in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, will share her experiences as a decorated Olympic athlete and member of the U.S. and International Olympic Committee. DeFrantz will read excerpts from her recently published memoir, “My Olympic Life,” and offer her unique perspective on sports, the history of the games and a glimpse of what we may expect from future Olympic games, including 2028 Los Angeles.

DeFrantz is a member of the International Olympic Committee and is the vice president of the IOC executive board. She serves on the Legal Affairs Commission of the IOC. She has served on the United States Olympic Committee board of directors since 1976, after her election to the Athletes Advisory Committee.

Before she joined the ranks of the IOC, DeFrantz served as vice president of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and was elected to IOC membership in 1986, making her not only the first African-American but also the first American woman to serve on the committee.

Currently, DeFrantz is president of the Tubman Truth Corp., an organization working to provide liberty and justice for all people. She also serves on LA 2028, the Los Angeles bid committee for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, as the LA 2028 senior adviser for legacy.

DeFrantz has received numerous awards, honors and recognitions. In 2017, she was inducted to the LA Coliseum Court of Honor and she also received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Center for Sociocultural Sport and Olympic Research at California State University, Fullerton. In 2016, she was given the Olympic Truce Award at the Rio Olympic Games. In 2011, Newsweek named her one of “150 Women Who Shake the World,” and Los Angeles Magazine named her one of “10 Women Making a Difference in Los Angeles.” In 2010, the French magazine L’Equipe named her one of the “10 Women Who Changed Sport” in the world. In 2006, the NCAA named her one of “NCAA’s Most 100 Influential Student Athletes.” In May 2003, Sports Illustrated named her one of the 101 most influential minorities in all of sports, and from 1991-1999, The Sporting News named her one of the 100 most powerful people in sports.

Free parking is available adjacent to the Beverly Hills Public Library, located at 444 N. Rexford Drive.

For information, visit beverlyhills.org/bhpl.