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The Book Festival is proud to present its annual Literary Feast, the Book Appétit luncheon featuring NORAH O’DONNELL—a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, news-making interviews. She grew up in San Antonio. Her new book is We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America, a vivid portrait of the unsung American women from 1776 to today who changed the course of history in their fight for freedom and helped shape a more perfect union. This event will benefit the 14th anniversary of the Book Festival. Included in the costs is a signed copy of the featured book for each attendee.
SPECIAL THANKS:
Event Chairs: Mac & Alejandra Altgelt
Event Committee: Heather Caussade & Luke Caussade • Tisha & Chuck Cortines • Dena Dalton • Katy & Ted Flato • Liecie & Nick Hollis • Sherry & Ed Layman • Jennifer Lloyd • Anne & Chuck Parrish • Suzie Rathbone • Heather Welder Russo & David Russo • Melissa C. Sorola • Shannon & David Stephens • Lou Anne Wellford
About Norah O’Donnell
Norah O’Donnell is a multiple Emmy Award–winning journalist with nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, news-making interviews. She is CBS News’ Senior Correspondent, focused on big interviews and projects for the network, and spent five years as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News the oldest and most revered evening news broadcast in America. O’Donnell anchors CBS News Election Specials and is a 60 Minutes contributing correspondent. She is married to the bacon-loving Geoff Tracy, otherwise known as Chef Geoff, and is the mother of three children.
A vivid portrait of the unsung American women from 1776 to today who changed the course of history in their fight for freedom and helped shape a more perfect union.
We the Women presents a new and extraordinary retelling of American history through the eyes of women, introducing us to inspiring patriots who demanded that the country live up to the promises made 250 years ago in the Declaration of Independence: that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The pressing question from women since the signing of the document has been: Why don’t those unalienable rights apply to us?
Through extensive research and interviews, as well as old photos and historic documents, O’Donnell curates a compelling portrait of these fierce fighters for freedom. From Mary Katharine Goddard, who printed the first signed Declaration of Independence, to the Forten family women, considered the “Black Founders” of Philadelphia who were active in the abolition and suffrage movements, to the first women who served in the Armed Forces even before they had the right to vote, O’Donnell brings these extraordinary women together for the first time, and in doing so, writes the American story anew.
About Marci Jobson – Moderator
Marci Jobson is a former U.S. Women’s National Team player and member of the 2007
FIFA Women’s World Cup roster whose journey reflects resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing women in sport. After competing professionally in the United States and Germany, she became a Division I head soccer coach, mentoring and developing hundreds of female athletes at the highest collegiate level. Currently she is the founder of Warrior Way, and leads a movement dedicated to character formation and opportunity creation through sport. Through the organization’s InspireHer program, she invests in growing the female game — equipping girls with leadership skills, expanding access to competition, and creating meaningful pathways for women in sport. She is married to Paul Jobson and is the proud mother of four awesome boys.
