Past

On Sunday, January 26, seventeen classmates met on zoom to share their latest reading and discuss Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book The Serviceberry. In our 75 minutes we shared passions for literature and the environment, after hearty introductions helped us get reacquainted. Here is a list of what these classmates are reading, and several suggestions that arose from our Serviceberry conversation.

Our next book discussion will introduce modern day playwright Melina Green and her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano in a conversation that could pit the Shakespeare lovers against those who think he had lots of help with what he "wrote" and appeal to the folks who know that women still don't get a fair shake in the world of playwriting: Jodi Picoult's By Any Other Name. We will meet on Sunday, March 16 from 3-4:15 EDT.

The zoom link to register for the March 16th book discussion was emailed on February 24.

Since our 50th reunion, many of you have participated in dorm zooms, the AI zoom, and mini-reunions across the country. It's clear we are craving meaningful connections. Classmates have suggested that we have a Wellesley '73 Reads book chat several times a year.

We will begin on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 3 PM EST, noon PST, 9 PM in Germany....you get the idea.

Our first book will be The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The Indigenous botanist shares her "bold and inspiring vision for how to orient our lives around gratitude, reciprocity and community..."

The beautiful prose will speak to you, and unlike her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, this is a short, 115-page read. You may sign up here and you will receive zoom reminders the week before, then the day of, January 26.

Please join us for the inaugural Wellesley '73 Reads chat; to discuss the book and weigh in on future books.  Our intention is to have our next meeting in late March centered around the novel, By Any Other Name, Jodi Picoult’s latest book.

Questions? Please send them to wellesley-1973@googlegroups.com.

Polly Keller Vanasse, Class VP, and the ’73 board

P.S. Our first Wellesley '73 Reads is fast approaching and several of you have had difficulty securing the book Serviceberry. Robin Wall Kimmerer has published in several different magazines four chapters from her book, and they are linked to this reader's guide. You are most welcome to join without completing the book, and this guide should give you plenty of inspiration for our discussion. We hope to see you on January 26.

We are looking forward to continuing with mini reunions, both in-person and virtually by dormitory. There have been several small in-person minis, and both Pomeroy and Claflin have held virtual mini-reunions. Minis are fun! But, we need volunteers to host.

For virtual minis, the class now has its own Zoom account, and we will send out the email to your dorm mates. Polly will walk you through the easy process and give you advice.

If you are willing to host a mini reunion, please contact Class Vice President Polly Keller Vanasse by email at wellesley-1973@googlegroups.com.