Bestselling author Stephanie Land to speak at ‘COD Presents’ Oct. 10
On Thursday, Oct. 10, join New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Land as she recounts her powerful story of resilience as a single mother navigating poverty after fleeing a violent home, as part of the “COD Presents” series. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.
After Land’s presentation, Bridge Communities CEO Amy Van Polen will lead a discussion and an audience Q&A. Land also will be on hand to sign copies of her memoir “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive.”
At age 28, Land’s dream of attending college and becoming a writer was deferred when she and her seven-month-old fled a violent home and moved into a homeless shelter, lacking any form of reliable safety net. After years of barely scraping by, Land graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Montana in 2014, and started a career as a freelance writer. Her viral essay for “Vox,” I spent two years cleaning houses. What I saw makes me never want to be rich,” later was expanded to become her bestselling memoir.
“Maid” has received numerous accolades, including being named a Notable Book of the Year by The New York Times and The Washington Post, and was listed among President Obama’s summer reading list for 2019.
Land’s story also serves as the inspiration for Netflix’s Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated original series “Maid” starring Margaret Qualley alongside Andie MacDowell. The show is one of Netflix’s most watched series ever with over 469 million hours viewed that reached over 67 million households in its first month. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the call volume in the month following the show’s premier was higher than any other month in its 25-year history.
Land’s powerful storytelling and advocacy for social justice have made her a leading voice on issues of economic inequality and resilience.
Tickets are $10 and free to COD students with a student ID. Attendees will receive a copy of “Maid” while supplies last.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit cod.edu/cod-presents.
COD’s Speaker Series “COD Presents” features keynote presentations and facilitated conversations with prominent individuals from across the country who are using their resources, influence, creativity and passion to make a positive impact in the world. These candid dialogues with guests create an opportunity for COD students, faculty, staff and community members to exchange ideas and walk away inspired.