Emilie Hogan’s Best Reads of 2016

My name is Emilie Hogan, and I have lived in Evanston since 2005.  I am very happily married to my wonderful spouse, Bill Hogan, and the mother of four terrific daughters ages 15, 12, 10 and 8.  I am the Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement for the Frances Willard Historical Association, a Board member of Books & Breakfast, and a community organizer, activist and volunteer.  My hobbies are reading and CrossFit and my passion is learning new things.  I am an endlessly curious person!  I absolutely love the Evanston Public Library, and it is one of my very favorite places in town along with Bennisons, Boltwood and the Frances Willard House.

1)  Kindred by Octavia Butler (1979)

This is the story of a woman who travels back in time to help her ancestors on a slave plantation.  The story will challenge your thoughts about family loyalty and keep you on the edge of your seat from the first sentence.

Women’s History Month: Eleanor Roosevelt

Our Women’s History Month celebration rages on as we continue highlighting the most influential women in history as chosen by you.  Next up is Eleanor Roosevelt who was selected by Patricia Frank – a 41-year Evanston resident, community gardener, and birder who earned a Ph.D. from NU’s Feinberg School of Medicine and founded a local consulting company.  Writes Ms. Frank:

“Eleanor Roosevelt changed the role of women in American politics even though she was never elected.  She showed how a woman can be strong on her own without the support – or necessarily the approval – of her husband.  And her influence had nothing to do with personal beauty, just force of personality.”

You can learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt below, and make sure to share your pick for one of the most influential women in history.  Tell us today by visiting EPL Celebrates Women’s History Month.

Talking to “Locked Down, Locked Out” author Maya Schenwar

Maya Schenwar is Editor-in-Chief of Truthout – an independent social justice news website – and the author of the recent book Locked Down, Locked Out: Why Prison Doesn’t Work and How We Can Do Better.  On Monday, March 7th, she will discuss her book when she visits EPL as part of the special program Unlocking America: How to Change Our Broken Prison System.  Cosponsored by Chicago Books to Women in Prison and Cabrini Green Legal Aid, the program will also feature Dr. Crystal T. Laura who joins Schenwar to explore the impact of prison on families and advocate for a sweeping overhaul of our criminal justice system.  In anticipation of this important discussion, we recently spoke with Schenwar via email about how her sister’s incarceration inspired her activism, the goal of “decarceration,” the crucial work of community groups like Curt’s Cafe, and how to achieve true lasting safety.