One ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄, One Book event in Austin, Texas last October. Photo courtesy of Sabine Romero ’95.By Sabine Romero β95
Just a year ago, ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ alums came together online for the inaugural One ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄, One Book (OSOB) virtual book club event in celebration of Ellen Browning ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄β birthday. Barbara Bruner β76 and Juanita Nash-Dahlen β72 led this global event and facilitated a deep dive into The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.
In celebration of ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄β centennial, Juanita and Barbara will again convene the ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ family online on Saturday, September 19, at 10 a.m. PT to share the nonfiction blockbuster Braiding Sweetgrass by professor and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer. The event will feature facilitated discussion, videos, small group sessions, and ideas for next yearβs activities.
This novelβs environmental message is timelier than ever as the globe encounters changes and conditions that trigger both philosophical and community debate.
βThe themes of resilience, inspiration, and courage explored in Sweetgrass mirror our OSOB mission statement,β says Juanita. βWhile there were parallels in many of the other books considered this yearβwe can all relate to this tradition of female wisdom literature in its many shapes, colors and culturesβSweetgrass stands out with its examination of the relationship between humanity and nature, and its potential to engage alums across ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ generations.β
The selection process this year focused on books by women authors. The committee first considered over thirty books, ranging from timeless classics to recent publications.
After much debate, the group selected Braiding Sweetgrass. Other strong contenders included Horse by Geraldine Brooks, Educated by Tara Westover, and Frozen River by Ariel Lawson. Sweetgrass emerged not only for its topics and timeliness, but also its echo of La Semeuse, with its theme of sowing the good seed of thought, of action, of life.
βCommittee members noted that younger alums in particular are deeply concerned about climate change, sustainability, and the need for a deeper connection to nature,β adds Barbara. βSweetgrass addresses all of this and more.β
Register for the event .
Click here for past coverage of ΒιΆΉΤ΄΄ book clubs. For information on how to be part of next yearβs theme and text selection, please contact the Office of Alumnae Engagement at [email protected].