BOOKsisters

As women in book groups our lives are richer because we discover the different worlds inside books and share that experience with each other.

The young women entering a Literature for All of Us book group have rarely had such experiences.  Many have never owned a book or even been to a library.

Hopeful and strong, these young women struggle every day with early parenting, poverty and violence.

By becoming BOOKsisters we reach across generations, as well as racial, ethnic, and economic differences to give young people the opportunities to learn and become their best selves.

How do I become a BOOKsisters?
You can join BOOKsisters either as an individual or by becoming a member of a BOOKsisters Giving Circle.

Individuals become members by making a donation toward the support of a Literature for All of Us Book Group.  Individual BOOKsisters receive regular program updates and invitations to poetry readings by the young women whose lives are impacted by their support.

BOOKsisters Giving Circles are a network of adult book groups who join together to increase the impact of their philanthropic giving and honor the role book groups play in their own lives.  By giving together, BOOKsisters pass on their love of literature and the power of books to inspire, connect and transform.  In addition to the individual benefits, once a yearBOOKsisters Giving Circles have the opportunity to take part in a book group discussion with some of the young women of Literature for All of Us.

“One of the things that has made the program so effective is the gift of books to the girls.  You cannot imagine the look of shock on their faces, and then the joy, as they realize that the books are theirs to keep.  It is as if they feel that if someone would give them books, spend money on them, then they themselves are valued!”
— Teacher, Simpson Academy for Young Women

To get involved…
To request information to help you approach your book group about joining BOOKsisters just email us.

BOOKsisters Founding Circle Members:

Past BOOKsisters Events:

• Susan Schwartz graciously opened her home for over forty guests on May 13, as BOOKsisters celebrated its One Year Anniversary with old and new friends. Along with lively conversation, Book Group Leader sarwat rumi spoke about her work with LFAOU and led guests in a poetry-writing activity. Several women shared their heart-felt poems, allowing them to feel a piece of what teens experience in LFAOU Book Groups each week.
  *Thanks to Susan Schwartz, Melissa Widen Goldman, Sue Brodarick and Kathy Bresler, along with event hostesses Ellyn Lansing, Suzie Golub, Jami De Graff, Lisa Burik, Jorie Cummis and Ellen Zickmann.

• On March 11, Julie Foley co-hosted a BOOKsisters event in her home with LFAOU Board members Sue Brodarick, Kathy Bresler and Debbie Smith. Book Group Leaders Rebecca Brown and Rachael Hudak introduced the forty guests to the work of LFAOU, led guests in a poetry writing exercise, and closed their time together with a quote by Ann Valliant and Kathleen Klimetk entitled "Woman."

  "I am a woman, a human being of extraordinary strength, wisdom and grace. My woman's body was created in the body of a woman. I am daughter, sister, mother in thousands of generations of women... I am a woman, part of and the whole of the first circle, the circle that transcended space and time, the circle of women joined.”

  *Thanks to the event's hostesses and all guests who became BOOKsisters!

• Click here to read about November's Mother & Daughter Event with special guest Joy Harjo.
• On June 23rd, 2009 Frankie's on the Park in Lincoln Park hosted an event to benefit BOOKsisters. 10% of the evening's sales and 25% of all BOOKsisters merchandise was donated to Literature for All of Us. La'Toya Gordon-Williams and Desire Smith, two book group members, attended and read their poetry. They had a wonderfully warm conversation with Joan Cusack about creation, performance and babies.
• On April 23, 2009 Cookie Weber, Sue Brodarick, Kathy Bresler and Linda Berz hosted a launch party for BOOKsisters at interior designer Cookie Weber's house in Lincoln Park. Karen Thomson and Kathy Bresler introduced the group to Literature for All of Us and how to become a BOOKsisters member to support the girls in book groups. Two book group members from Family Focus read thier poetry to the packed house. The event raised over $6,000, a great start for BOOKsisters and BOOKsisters Giving Circles!