b"LIFESTYLEHerStory: So Much MoreLIFESTYLEThan a Book ClubBy Debra A. YoungItstartedoutasabookclubbutinjustfiveshortforwardtomeetingnewfriendsandreadingmore. monthsHerStoryhasevolvedintosomuchmore.Next,JoycecontactedPatriciaFord,aBenedict The book club, comprised of five retired professionals,CollegealumnawhorecentlyretiredfromAT&T wasthebrainchildofAnitaCarman,aretiredafter a 44-year career. Patricia loved the idea and was educatorafter43yearsasaclassroomteacherandexcited to get together with friends.Sighing Calgon college professor. Anita's first call to share her booktake me away, she explained that she has been the club idea was to her good friend Joyce Epps. Joyce,chief caregiver for her mother for the past five years. a53-yearretirededucator,previouslyworkedwithShe saw the book club as her chance to get away, put AnitaatBenedictCollege,thelastsevenyearsofeverythingbehindher,readandshareherthoughts their careers. Anita named the book club HerStory.with other likeminded women. Dubbed the newbie I wanted the group to focus our reading on booksofthegroupbyherfellowclubmembers,Carolyn writtenbywomen,Anitaexplained.JoycewasMackretiredinDecember2020after47yearsin excitedabouttheideaandbeganrecruitingothereducationandrelocatedtoSouthCarolinafrom women to join the book club.Her first call was toOhio.She felt that joining the book club would be herfriendShirleyWatson,alsoaretirededucatoran enjoyable sisterhood and a fun way to get to know with 30-plus years of service. Shirley jumped at thethe community.opportunitytojointhegroupandsaidshelooked 22IMARA"