Faegre Drinker’s Executive Women’s Forum Hosts Author and The New Yorker Executive Editor Dorothy Wickenden

Faegre Drinker’s Executive Women’s Forum hosted a virtual discussion with Dorothy Wickenden, executive editor of The New Yorker for more than 25 years and New York Times bestselling author.

Wickenden discussed portions of her most recent book, The Agitators: Three Friends Who Fought for Abolition and Women’s Rights, which chronicles the revolutionary activities of three friends and neighbors in mid-nineteenth century Auburn, New York – Harriet Tubman, Frances Seward and Martha Wright – three unlikely collaborators in the quest for abolition and women’s rights. She also discussed how each of their rich personal stories informed their activism, how they joined forces in their shared mission, and the interplay of the women’s rights and abolitionist movements.

Wickenden also discussed her experience researching the novel and how her unique insight, interests and skill set allowed her to bring the “details and textures of daily life” to her novel. She also emphasized the importance of:

• Using writing to bring a voice to the powerless
• Persevering against injustice, even when success seems unlikely
• Overcoming self-doubt and societal restrictions

In addition to this discussion, attendees of this event had the opportunity to receive a signed copy of Wickenden’s book.

Faegre Drinker’s Executive Women’s Forum brings together exciting, interesting women leaders with the core goals of encouraging dialogue and a sense of community. The Executive Women’s Forum guest speaker events feature notable women who embody the group’s mutual ideals and values of advancing the role of women in the workplace.