Updates
Earlier this month, I had a wonderful time visiting the book club of my high school math teacher, Gina Goldstein, in Collegeville, PA. (Wow, math teachers do English stuff too! 😉) This was my first time meeting with a group that had already read the Life of Libby book. I really enjoyed answering questions about Libby’s experiences and our journey of writing the book!
If your book club wants to read Life of Libby, I’d be happy to make a guest appearance. (Just saying.)
My next event is at Hilltop Books in Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia) on Saturday, June 28 at 2 PM. I’ll be joined by an incredible author and historian Christina Larocco with her book Crosshatch: Martha Schofield, the Forgotten Feminist (1839–1916). Here is a brief excerpt from the book summary, “As an abolitionist, a women’s suffragist, and a white teacher of Black students, she spent a lifetime attempting to develop (however imperfectly) an antiracist feminist vision.” Hope to see you there!
Meet Alicia Scovill
Last month before Memorial Day, I had a chance to speak with Alicia Scovill—an Air Force veteran, construction professional, and advocate for veterans who are transitioning to civilian life. Before I met Alicia, I hadn’t given much thought to veterans. My social justice awareness developed in the context of peace activism. When it came to the military, we focused on nuclear disarmament, the financial excesses of military contractors (that could have instead addressed domestic needs), and the injustices perpetrated by military forces around the world.
In Life of Libby, Libby describes how the Bergen County Peace Center aggressively supported young men in finding ways to legally avoid the draft. I had an uncle who served in Vietnam, but my father wasn’t drafted, and my own experiences never brought me into close contact with veterans. I assumed that because many of today’s veterans had enlisted voluntarily, they didn’t need my attention.
The Invisible Veteran
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