Comments+from+the+Editor

Dolores Fidishun, Women in Libraries Co-Editor
 * Comments from the Editor **


 * As this issue of // Women in Libraries // goes to press the country is still reeling from the events at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando on June 12, 2016. Our hearts ache for those who are gone, for those who lost loved ones, and for the loss of the safety, security, sanctuary, and the fun that places like Pulse provide for many of us, and indeed the security we all feel as we travel this world together. As feminists we stand with our friends, our lovers, our colleagues, people who choose only to love the person they choose, to be the gender they are in their hearts, and others who are seeking, people who want simply to be able to live their lives, be happy and be accepted for who they are. **

Feminists are also from all races, religions, ethnic groups, nationalities, all walks of life. We unite with the Latinx community and the Muslim community who both found themselves distinctly scrutinized because of events at Pulse, in dramatically different ways, but not in ways that anyone would have chosen.

In this swirl of events thousands of librarians are headed to Orlando over the next few days for our Annual Conference. There is still so much sorrow, so many unanswered questions, yet through it all we want to come together to show support for those affected by the events and those who now face unfair judgements based on a glaringly distorted spotlight that has shown on them. While many of us have mixed feelings about going to Orlando, our Conference brings with it some of the most caring people I have ever met. People who take action, who stand up for others, who will be seeking to make the Orlando conference about healing in any way they can. We want to be present for our friends and colleagues who are still healing as well as wanting to make positive impacts on the world even in small ways, even if it just a hug for someone who is grieving. Librarians are like that, it is part of our public service ethic, but more, it is in our hearts. Our activist spirit will bring kindness to this horrific time. A number of events are planned to bring our community together and support those in Orlando and throughout the country. A list of those events can be found at [].

And so, as we gather in Orlando, or even if we are among those left back at the library while others attend, our feminist spirit will seek ways for positive change. And so we remember Lin-Manuel Miranda’s uplifting sonnet that we heard only hours after we learned of the nightmare:

//**“We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger, we rise and fall and light from dying embers, remembrances that hope and love last longer. Love is love is love is love is love is love is love — cannot be killed or swept aside." (Lin-Manuel Miranda. Tony Awards. June 12, 2016)**//

//Dolores Fidishun, Ed. D., is the Head Librarian at Penn State University Libraries/Penn State Abington Library. //