The member diversity in the WNBA makes our goal of connecting, educating, advocating, and leading possible. As bookwomen, we believe “Books Have Power.” The Bookwoman welcomes Rae Theodore (Greater Philadelphia), WNBA-Greater Philadelphia‘s president, to the “Power behind the WNBA” interview series!
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Rae Theodore, and I work as an editor for one of the world’s largest communications firms. When I’m not working, I write about my life as a butch lesbian and my thirty-year crush on Olivia Newton-John. As a young tomboy, I rarely identified with the characters in the books I read, and this has motivated me to tell my story.
I’m the author of two creative nonfiction books: Leaving Normal: Adventures in Gender and My Mother Says Drums Are for Boys: True Stories for Gender Rebels.
My favorite day of the week is Tuesday because that’s when my writing group meets. In addition to Olivia Newton-John, I’m obsessed with Wonder Woman, Joan Jett, and the mullet I sported circa 1986.
I’m the current president of the Greater Philadelphia chapter of the WNBA.
I live in Royersford, Pennsylvania with my wife and cats, and I am always working on some new piece of writing.
Why did you join the WNBA?
I joined the WNBA to surround myself with others who are passionate about story. The first thing I did after I became a member was to organize a story jam in order to bring together members of our local writing community and WNBA members. Our first story jam was a huge success and now our chapter hosts several jams every year.
I use my membership to network with other writers and publishing professionals and to promote my books on both a local and national level.
I would tell others to join the WNBA so they can be around people who get excited about the same things—the smell of a new book, a talk by a favorite author, the unfolding of a good story. If you’re an author or other publishing professional, WNBA membership provides you with opportunities throughout the year to network with others who are always eager to share their advice and experience.
What value does the promotion of books bring to your community?
Books give people something to get excited about, and they connect us. That’s so important, especially given today’s divisive political climate.
One of the things I’m proudest of as president of WNBA-Greater Philly is establishing a lending library at a local women’s center that provides services to women dealing with domestic abuse. Our members generously donated enough books to fill an entire bookcase. I’m proud to be part of a group that is using its love of books to empower one of our most vulnerable communities. Book lovers know that books are a super power.
Share a book that has had a lasting impression on you and why?
Wow, there are so many. I’ll go with Rita Mae Brown’s Rubyfruit Jungle. The novel is a coming-of-age autobiographical account of Brown’s youth and her emergence as a lesbian author. I always wished I had read the book as a young woman. I’m certain that my life would have turned out differently if I had.
Interview compiled by assistant editor Pam Ebel (New Orleans).
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