Sunday, September 11, 2011

Where 9/11 and a Love of Reading Intersect


 My heart is heavy as I write this post and the city outside my window is once again eerily quiet - 10 years ago at this moment I was sitting in a conference room in midtown watching in horror as the first building collapsed and praying that my family and friends were safe while worrying about what else was to come. I remember walking home later in the day with the fighter jets flying low over the city and being overwhelmed by all the uncertainty - we still hadn't heard from my Dad who worked across the street from the Towers and it was unclear if there were more attacks planned. It was the loneliest I have ever felt. Fortunately, we later heard from my Dad and when it was all said and done our entire family escaped unscathed.

Brooke Jackman's parents and sister holding a photo of Brooke (photo credit: NY Times)
I am painfully aware that many other families were not so lucky and my heart breaks for those lost on 9/11 and those left behind. One such family is the Jackman's - they lost Brooke who was 23 and working on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Brooke had a love of books - her family talks about the backpack she always carried and how it was never without a book. Brooke also wanted to leave her career in finance and get a degree in social work - she had a real desire to help others. Unfortunately, she never had the opportunity to realize that dream and her life was cut short by the attack on the World Trade Center. Her family, however, decided to honor her legacy by founding the Brooke Jackman Foundation  which focuses on improving literacy among at-risk children in NYC.  Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has given away thousands of "Brooke's Books" and "Brooke's Packs" - in total, more than 100,000 books have been given to at-risk children.  The foundation also holds literacy events including a Read a Thon which was held yesterday in downtown Manhattan where authors and others read books to children.  You can read more about the Foundation in this NY Times article and this HuffPo piece about the books famous children's authors selected to donate to the Foundation. 

I find the Brooke Jackman Foundation inspiring and a glint of hope in so much sadness surrounding the tragedy of 9/11.  A legacy of literacy is so fitting for a young woman who loved to read and wanted to improve the lives of children and it is a great story of a family overcoming their own grief to honor their sister and daughter while doing good for many.  From one reader to another - we will never forget.

20 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard of this foundation. Thank you for sharing!

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  2. 9/11/2001 was a frieghtening, unsettling day and much worse for so many people. I'm so glad your family was all safe as was mine.

    I'm not familiar with the Brooke Jackman Foundation...what a wonderful tribute for this daughter and sister and a fantastic idea for so many children! Thank you for posting about it. I'm on my way to check it out.

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  3. What a wonderful way to honor Brooke's spirit.

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  4. That was a sweet and sad story. Thank you for sharing it.

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  5. A moving story, but what a memorial to a young woman whose life was cut short.

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  6. What a lovely way to honor and carry forward the memory of Brooke Jackman.

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  7. That was a moving post- thanks for sharing the info.

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  8. Thank you for sharing. I will be checking out this foundation shortly.

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  9. What a great post, Colleen. Your heart and soul come through in it. Thanks for sharing and writing. I hadn't heard of the foundation, but child literacy and reading are a cause very close to my heart. I will check them out more. Best piece I've read on the 10th anniversary.

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  10. What a wonderful way to honor a special woman. Wow, I'm moved to tears here! :-)

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  11. This is the first I've heard about this. Thanks for posting Colleen - beautiful.

    I am watching the anniversary shows as I catch up with blogs tonight; very sad. Have a good week.

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  12. thanks for sharing this story. How inspiring!

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  13. I wasn't familiar with this foundation, but I'm glad to know about it now. It's a great mission and an excellent legacy. Thank you for telling us about it!

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  14. Thanks for posting about this - it is a very touching reminder of the many beautiful people who perished on that day. I am glad her family found a way to remember her which continues to give back to so many.

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  15. I had not heard of Brooke or the foundation her family created. She must be proud.

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  16. What a wonderful way to remember a lost book lover. Thank you for sharing this story and supporting the cause. I lost a friend from school that day. He left behind his wife and their 4 children.

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  17. Thank you so much for posting this Colleen. What a wonderful way to honor their daughter and sister, and to have something good come out of something so tragic.

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  18. Thank you so much for this beautiful story. This is such a perfect way to keep Brooke's memory alive. I hope it brings comfort to her family and loved ones. It surely brings joy to many children and their families.

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  19. It's always so inspiring to see families make something good after something so awful happens to them. It's definitely a wonderful way to keep Brooke's memory alive, although I'm sure she's never far from their hearts.

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  20. What a wonderful and inspiring post. Thank you for sharing this moving story, Colleen. I wasn't aware of Brooke Jackman Foundation before this evening.

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