Anita Madden facts for kids
Anita K. Madden (born Anita Myers; February 3, 1933 – September 27, 2018) was an American sportswoman, a well-known person in society, and someone who worked to make positive changes in her community.
Contents
Anita Madden's Early Life and Education
Anita K. Madden was born in Ashland, Kentucky. As a child, she loved playing sports like basketball and cheerleading. She was also part of the drama club in high school. After high school, she studied at Western Kentucky University for two years. Then, in 1952, she moved to the University of Kentucky (UK).
Family Life and Famous Parties
At the University of Kentucky, Anita met Preston West Madden. Preston was from Lexington and was the grandson of famous horse-breeder John E. Madden. Anita and Preston got married in 1955. Nine years later, their only child, Patrick Winchester Madden, was born.
Anita Madden became very well-known for her amazing parties. These parties were held on the night before the Kentucky Derby. She would invite as many as 5,000 people! For almost 40 years, the Maddens hosted these fun events. They stopped in 1999 after Anita's mother passed away.
People from Kentucky and the international horse racing world always looked forward to these themed parties. One party was called "Rapture of the Deep." It had mermaids, mermen, and a giant octopus figure surrounded by fog. Another party, "The Ultimate Odyssey," featured young people dressed as Greek gods and goddesses. They even reenacted the Trojan War under a huge 16-foot statue of Zeus!
Anita Madden often invited movie stars, writers, and politicians to her events. She even hosted some stars in her home. For example, actor Dennis Cole was a longtime friend. It was also said that musician Burt Bacharach wrote a song for her. A beautiful pink and yellow flower, the "Anita Madden Daylily," was named in her honor.
A Special Recipe: The Mint Julep
The Visitor's Guide for the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau shares a special recipe. It highlights the history of the Kentucky mint julep with Anita Madden's own recipe.
Anita Madden: Business Leader and Community Helper
The Hamburg Place horse farm was very important to the Madden family. John E. Madden first bought this nearly 2000-acre farm in 1898. It produced many famous racehorses. Five Kentucky Derby winners and five Belmont Stakes winners came from Hamburg Place. This included Sir Barton, the first horse to win the Triple Crown. The farm also raised Shetland ponies, polo ponies, and Standardbreds.
The last famous horse from their farm was Alysheba, who won the Derby in 1987. Anita Madden used the farm's land to help the horse industry grow. She was known for her business skills and was always a key part of her family's horse business.
Shaping the Community: Planning and Zoning
In 1977, the Mayor of Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government, Foster Pettit, chose Anita Madden to join the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Commission. She stayed on this Commission for 17 years. During this time, Madden helped create a plan for developing her family's own farm.
She once explained how her family worked together: "The family joke is that I'm the idea person, Preston is the detail person and Pat gets all the credit. Actually, Patrick is the person who's responsible for all the business details and decisions, and he's the attorney for the family. He keeps everyone involved in what's going on. You can't believe the paperwork that comes past all of us, and then we have regular meetings with all the family members. Preston is responsible for running all the rest of the farm and taking care of all the things he did when he was in the horse business. That's no small job."
Working for Horse Racing
From 1980 to 1983, Governor John Y. Brown appointed Anita Madden to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Her impact on the thoroughbred industry was very important. Even though her famous parties sometimes got more attention, her contributions were significant. In an interview in 2000, she remembered supporting an issue about horse medication. She was outvoted by the other board members. She said, "It's sad. For all the good I did in there, I might just as well have stayed home and painted my toenails."
Developing Hamburg Pavilion
In 1986, the Maddens started planning to develop about 100 acres of their farm. They wanted to build a large shopping center, homes, and other businesses. This shopping center was named Hamburg Pavilion in 1995 when construction began. The first neighborhood built was called "The Shetlands." This was because it was the field where they kept their famous ponies. Anita explained, "Our last stallion there was a beautiful white pony named Gunpowder and we are using his likeness on information materials concerning The Shetlands. Our next phase is named West Wind. This area was named for Preston and Uncle Pat's grandmother's residence in New York."
Supporting Important Causes
Anita Madden became an important leader in Kentucky business and progress. She organized many events to help others:
- In 1991, she volunteered her time for a charity auction. This auction raised money to help people with AIDS. Celebrities like Yoko Ono, Kenny Rogers, Scott Bakula, and Elizabeth Taylor donated items.
- In 2006, she was the honorary chair for a benefit. This event helped farm workers and retired racehorses. It supported the Blue Grass Farms Chaplaincy and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF).
- In 2008, she was the honorary host for the "Justice for All" gala. This event raised money for Just Fund Kentucky. This group works to raise awareness for social justice in Kentucky.
Madden explained why business leaders should support the JustFund KY fundraiser. She said, "Just like in sports, we should have a fair playing field; .... if it isn't fair, it's no fun!" When asked if she thought Lexington treated anyone unfairly, she said, "I think it's still not fair for women... and it's our responsibility to get the word out... that you will be more successful when you make it fair for everyone."
In 2008, the Lexington Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners gave her their special Winner's Circle Award. Anita Madden continued to serve on several boards. These included the Foundation Board for the Kentucky Historical Society, the Advisory Board for the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, and the LexArts HorseMania Committee. Anita and Preston Madden spent their time living in Florida and New York but would return to Kentucky during the "Derby Season."
