Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women - Department of English

Oakland University, along with the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm.   is partnering with the the Rochester Hills Public Library to participate in Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women, a reading, viewing and discussion series for libraries. RHPL was one of only 30 libraries selected for the project. The programs are sponsored by the ALA Public Programs Office with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and Michigan Humanities Council. English professor Jeffrey Insko is the project scholar for the programs. The Library will present six programs, three of which will be held at OU, from September through November that will re-introduce audiences to Louisa May Alcott’s story. These programs shed light on this great American writer by exploring her life and the historical and cultural context that inspired her remarkable body of work.

The programs have been developed in conjunction with Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women, a documentary film co-produced by Nancy Porter Productions, Inc. and Thirteen/WNET New York’s American Masters, and a biography of the same name written by Harriet Reisen. Louisa May Alcott programs in libraries are sponsored by the American Library Association Public Programs Office with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Program Schedule

Note: Some programs require registration. To sign up for programs, visit the RHPL website.

Sept 18 / Sunday / 2pm
Louisa May Alcott: Through Her Eyes Kickoff Event
Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm
Registration open    =

Oct 12 / Wednesday / 7pm
Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women: Biography Book Discussion
RHPL Multipurpose Room  
Registration begins Sept 21 
Join this discussion facilitated by Oakland University Professor Jeffrey Insko. Books available at the time of registration. 

Oct 19 / Wednesday / 6pm
Documentary Film Screening with Producer and Director Nancy Porter
Oakland University,  Oakland Center Banquet Rooms A&B (campus map)
Director  Nancy Porter will be participating in a talk-back with the audience following the 80 min. film. 
No registration

Nov 9 / Wednesday / 7pm
Louisa May Alcott Wrote That!?  Discussion of Lesser Known Works  
RHPL Multipurpose Room
Join this discussion of various works facilitated by Oakland University Professor Jeffrey Insko
Registration begins Oct 12.

Nov 21 / Monday / 8 am until ??
Little Women Read-In 
Oakland University,  Fireside Lounge, Oakland Center (campus map)
Celebrate this iconic and cherished book with a reading from start to finish.  

Nov 30 / Wednesday / 7pm
Louisa May Alcott and 19th Century Social Reform: a Roundtable Discussion,
Oakland University , Oakland Center Gold Rooms (campus map)
Panel of Oakland University professors will discuss Louisa May Alcott's involvement in and influence on social reforms such as abolitionism, women’s rights, and transcendentalism.
Registration begins Nov 9.