I am excited to announce that this September Prime Time for Women, Inc., will partner with Maryland Humanities on the 2024 One Maryland One Book initiative. Our organization’s mission is based on research that emphasizes the impact of positive social connections to improve the health of individuals and communities. We seek to celebrate, connect and empower women from diverse backgrounds as they explore new opportunities in the second half of life. Similarly, Maryland Humanities offers “experiences that explore and elevate shared stories to connect people, enhance lives, and enrich communities.”

For almost 2 ½ years, Prime Time for Women’s Walking to Wellness community has gathered to connect and walk. Usually, each week, diverse speakers share a five-minute presentation, which serves as that week’s prompt for members to discuss as they walk, talk, connect, share their thoughts and find common ground.

However, at Walking to Wellness during the four weeks of September we will be hosting a walking book club, featuring “What Storm, What Thunder” by Myriam J.A. Chancy. Masterfully written, Chancy describes the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake on those living in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. She details the impact of the disaster on Richard, an expat and wealthy water- bottling executive; Anne, an architect who drafts affordable housing structures for a global NGO; Leopold, a small-time drug trafficker; and several others.

Named the best book of the year by NPR, this “brilliantly crafted, fiercely imagined, and deeply haunting book” is a “stunning record of the heartbreaking trauma of disaster, and—at the same time—an unforgettable testimony to the tenacity of the human spirit.”

Thanks to our partnership with Maryland Humanities, PTFW has 30 copies of What Storm, What Thunder, which it will distribute at Walking to Wellness on Wednesday, August 20th. Each week in September, a facilitator will give a brief synopsis of a portion of the book and pose discussion questions. As we walk together, we will examine the story’s historical significance, plot, setting and character development; and explore the use of imagery, symbols and allegories. W2W members will have opportunities to share how their lives are similar to and different from the lives of the main characters.

Don’t miss this incredible chance to read and discuss a fascinating book that will be read across the entire state of Maryland!