Clo puts her hooves up to enjoy a little Pearls My Mother Wore in comfort.
Snoopy couldn't wait to start reading Pearls My Mother Wore.
If you build it, they will come. Last Saturday at the Sonoma County Book Festival my friend Tami and I were the source of “tent envy.” Tami works for Wine Country Party Supplies, and they were the lead sponsors for the whole book festival. When the company found out Tami was presenting her book, Crystal Bound, they outfitted our 10′ x10′ booth in style. We certainly stood out in the crowd. Did that translate into big sales? No. But it was fun all the same. We might have done better if it hadn’t been over 100 degrees out.
Tomorrow I’ll be a part of another author event. Mills College in Oakland, my alma mater, is hosting a “Writers’ Salon.” Mills alumnae with published works were invited to attend. Every year the college puts on a three day event that includes the ceremonial start of the new academic year (Convocation) and special recognition of past classes, this year being those ending in 0 or 5 starting with 1935. For the class of 1960, this will be their 50th reunion, and they will be fêted as “Golden Girls.”
The graduating class of 1990, the year I started, will also hold special honors. It was then that students went on a historic strike to preserve the all-female distinction for undergraduates. The School wanted to expand enrollment to include men, but the student body presented a powerful and united front against the idea, and they prevailed.
Honestly, at the time, I was hanging on for my academic dear life and had no surplus energy for conflict and protests. In the two years that I attended Mills I never missed a class; I was terrified of falling behind. I’m grateful to the people who sacrificed classroom instruction for their long-term vision and commitment to women’s education. For all of the unisex institutions of higher learning, it still amazes me that a small number of woman’s colleges have remained.
I’ll be arriving at the event early enough to take some time to wander around the absolutely beautiful campus, visit old classrooms and see the new buildings that have been erected since my 1992 graduation. I’m looking forward to sitting with published alumnae and greeting the guests who attend the “Writer’s Salon.” Although many Mills graduates have attained much and even hold celebrity status, if they’re not wearing a larger-than-life costume, I probably won’t know who they are. That’s a good thing because it will keep my humble and happy.
Until next Friday when I’ll post again, have a great week.
Have a wonderful time! It will be an interesting experience to be on campus again but in an entirely different context. Enjoy.
Your thoughts for the week? I’m always interested in what is going on on your end. : )