2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War. The wives of the four rulers who would lead the world into war will be the focus of Pequot Library's Beyond the Book Club kickoff presentation, titled "Queen, Kaiserin, Tsarina, Empress", set for Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 3-4pm in the Reading Room, 720 Pequot Ave., Southport.
Mary, wife of King George V of Great Britain; Augusta Victoria, wife of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany; Alexandra, wife of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia; and Zita, wife of Emperor Karl of Austria will be reviewed. For the month of September, Beyond the Book Club will focus on women who have defied gender roles between World War I and World War II. The club is open to everyone and will offer presentations and book discussions.
This year, Beyond the Book Club continues to focus on Extraordinary Women. Fairfield is celebrating its 375th anniversary along with the 125th anniversary of the founding of Pequot Library. Through her generous gift, an extraordinary woman, Mrs. Virginia Marquand Monroe, built the Pequot Library on her estate and gave Pequot Library to the community to be "Free as air to all."
Presenter Dr. Mona Garcia taught European history at the college level. She has presented conference papers in the United States and Great Britain and has publications in her field of English history, one of which has been included in the Bibliography of British and Irish History (formally the Royal Historical Society Bibliography).
Please visit www.pequotlibrary.org to learn more about this vibrant library, educational, arts and cultural institution. All classes and programs are open to everyone. For information: (203) 259-0346 ext. 15.