Warren Buffett and CNBCβs βSquawk Boxβ co-anchor Becky Quick were the featured speakers at Mondayβs 10th annual Lunch for the Girls held at the CenturyLink Center Omaha benefiting Girls Inc. of Omaha.
Buffett responded to questions from Quick, as well as pre-selected individuals and Girls Inc. members.
Dr. Renaisa Anthony from the University of Nebraska Medical Center asked Buffett what he wanted his legacy to be.
Buffett responded jokingly, βI wish the tombstone could say: βHere lies the oldest man that ever lived.ββ
On a more serious note, Buffett said he would like to be known for his teaching, something he learned from his father, who he called the
greatest teacher.
The light-hearted atmosphere continued with a question from Julisa, a 5-year-old member of Girls Inc. She asked Buffett what he likes to do for fun.
βI have to have fun at 81,β Buffet said.Β βI do what I love every day.Β I work with terrific people.Β Berkshire Hathaway is like a painting, and I can paint what ever I like on the canvas.β
Buffett also alluded to the fact that he is an avid bridge player.Β Even though he plays online an average of 12 hours a week, Buffett is not considering retirement anytime soon.
βI donβt even know how to spell the word,β Buffet said.Β βWhy retire when you love what youβre doing?β
The lunch also featured several Girls Inc. members who told stories of how the organization has impacted their lives. Morgan Mayers, a Girls Inc. alumna, shared her own experiences and successes that she too attributes to Girls Inc.
After being born to a single, drug addicted mother, Mayersβ foster mother enrolled her in Girls Inc. Over the course of the 12 years Mayers attended Girls Inc. she learned her ABCs, cursive and took a trip to Washington D.C. with the Girls Inc. born leaders group, as well as winning a national Girls Inc. scholarship for $15,000.
βGirls Inc. teaches that setbacks do not have to set you all the way back,β Mayers said.
Mayers is now a sophomore at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.Β She is studying criminal justice because she said she believes that kids in jail also have dreams of college, but do not have the family support or opportunity to achieve such a dream.
βGirls Inc. will not give up on you if you donβt give up on yourself,β Mayers said.
Girls Inc. focuses on giving confidence to girls and inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold.Β All proceeds from Lunch for the Girls supports educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for girls ages 5 to 18 at Girls Inc. of Omaha.
Like many in Omaha, Buffet said he believes Girls Inc. plays a vital role in giving girls equal opportunities in both education and professional areas.
βI was born in 1930, and I know that if I was a female I would not be standing in front of you today,β Buffet said.Β βIt is very important to have equal opportunity, for everyone to have the same starting line, and Girls Inc. works to bring girls to that starting line.β