In our fourth official year as a chapter, Greater Philadelphia is growing strong!   Our members make this chapter so unique and special. From sharing our passion for reading and writing books to promoting literacy and service for people of all ages, our goal is always to lift and inspire.  We make sure that all of our events work to support the United Nation’s Global Goals of No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, and Developing Partnerships because WNBA is a United Nations NGO member. We are especially proud of our partnership with our local independent bookstore and other book venues and businesses where our members can discover and explore a variety of experiences to grow and learn. 

Community Service

Some members serve on the board of an incredible organization called Creative Light Factory, an artist’s loft where writers can go and write, collaborate, and learn. We are thrilled to have this beautiful partnership and are looking forward to opportunities for collaborating in 2019.

Throughout the year, our chapter endeavors to support a local Women’s Shelter by creating and maintaining an empowering library.

Events

Summer is mostly a time for rest and relaxation, but we managed to hold two great events!  We hosted our first member book chat with a terrific book from last year’s Great Group Reads–Mitch Albom’s The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, which generated great conversation and friendships for our members.  We also cohosted a fun event for children at the Spring City Library in collaboration with Animal Rescue Spay and Save called “Kids, Kittens and Library Books,” where children were invited to come read books to animals looking to be adopted. It was such a special event for all participants . . . people AND animals!                              

This fall found our chapter busy with many interesting events for our members!  In September, we kicked off our season with a members-only mixer at a local pub, where we socialized, networked, and had a brief meeting to take care of the business of books!  In October, we hosted three engaging authors at our NRGM event at Towne Book Center and Wine Bar (our amazing host indie bookstore!). Sujata Massey, author of The Widows of Malabar Hill  (Great Group Reads 2018), Bernard Schaffer, author of The Thief of All Light, and Adrienne Benson, author of The Brightest Sun, shared their stories and their gifts with us.  We always leave that night feeling smarter and stronger.

We are thankful for our relationship with Towne Book Center as our host bookstore! We also collected money for UNICEF, an important feature of this annual event.

In November, we hosted a local author showcase at the Spring City Library.  Additionally, our past president represented our chapter at the Greater Philadelphia Writing Conference in downtown Philadelphia and was able to meet some amazing writers that joined us and will help move our chapter forward.  

In December, we held a gift-wrap table to support our host bookstore, Towne Book Center and Wine Shoppe.  We do this every year to show our gratitude for their incredible support and involvement.

The Eastman Grant

Last year at the National Centennial meeting, our chapter was given the The Eastman Grant to go to a library association. The Greater Philadelphia chapter chose the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association because our chapter is made up of teachers, writers, librarians, and library enthusiasts.

2019

January will find us meeting for a post-holiday member mixer and story jam.  In February, we will host another book chat, this time on the classic Fahrenheit 451, which promises great conversation!  March will bring us an author event for one of our members at the Towne Book Center and Wine Bar. In late spring, we’ll hold our second board elections and summer-reads book preview with publishers.  

Our long-term goals are to continue to grow our chapter with the trifecta of socializing, professional networking, and service to others.  2019 proves to be our BEST year yet!

Get in Touch

Check out our FaceBook page and our chapter website.  (Special shout out to Sharon Hajj for updating and maintaining our chapter’s social media presence!)

 

By Cindy Mannon and Elizabeth Mosteller