“A sweeping epic of a book, Holt’s Wise Gals rescues five remarkable women from obscurity and finally gives them their rightful place in world history. This is a fascinating story of pioneers and patriots, of science and technology, of ambition and sacrifice…of female spies. I particularly admired the Cold War sequences, with their insider accounts of both the space and nuclear arms races, but it’s the breathtaking scale of this story that truly stuns: spanning continents and decades with impressive skill and impeccable research, yet simultaneously sharing the tender secrets from each woman’s life to make this political history personal. A book you won’t regret reading. Five women you won’t forget.” –Kate Moore, author of The Radium Girls and The Woman They Could Not Silence
“Explosive and enthralling insight into the little-known ‘petticoat panel.’ The way that the biographies of these brave women is woven within their harrowing work overseas makes this work read like a spy thriller. Holt’s access and research into the world of gender inequality at the CIA should be required reading; she has given these women their rightful place in history.” —Tracy Walder, former CIA operative and FBI special agent and author of The Unexpected Spy
Saturday, September 14, 9am Book Giveaway, followed by Series Kick-Off Speaker
9:30am Kick-Off Speaker: The Global Cold War, Professor Andrey Ivanov,
Thursday, September 26, 6:30pm French Baking Demonstration: Macarons * Chef Nicole Bujewski Registration Required
Monday, September 30, 6:30pm Ciphers, Secrets, and Spies in the Elizabethan Age with Carol Ann Lloyd (The speaker will be virtual; we'll meet in the library.)
Wednesday, October 9, 6:30pm The Red Scare Explained, Professor Yoshiko Herrera
Tuesday, October 15, 1pm The Gender Gap: Economist Claudia Goldin Video and Discussion
October 17-30, Various Times Escape Room. Registration Required. Sign up begins Sept 14
Saturday, October 19, 10 am The Cold War and Wisconsin, Chris Sturdevant
Monday, October 21, 6:30pm Author Talk: Nathalia Holt (She will visit via Zoom - we'll meet in the library.)
Thursday, October 24, 6:30pm A Talk with former CIA Agent Christina Hillsberg
Monday, October 28, 6:30pm Community Book Discussion
