The University Libraries invites you to a discussion with 2001 Carolina graduate, veteran journalist and CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin about her new book, “Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power.” The event is co-presented by the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council.

Join us for this virtual event where Baldwin will be joined in conversation with Suchi Mohanty, head of the R.B. House Undergraduate Library. Baldwin will also answer audience questions.

After more than 20 years in the male-dominated industry of TV news, often reporting on the world’s most powerful men, Baldwin spent two days back-to-back covering the 2017 presidential inauguration and the historic Women’s March in D.C. The experience changed her perspective and led to the question: what happens when women huddle?

Baldwin calls a group of women working for the benefit of all a “huddle,” and that goes beyond networking happy hours and text chains among friends—though there is some of that, too. This is a new way women are working together to advocate for themselves, for other women in the world and for positive change in the way women are perceived and represented in the culture at large.

Baldwin’s book is a blend of journalism and personal narrative.

She crisscrossed the country to research and write the book, revealing how huddling helps women achieve success in the workplace, effect grassroots change, build confidence during girlhood, maintain better physical and mental health, survive racial and gender-based oppression and weather the COVID-19 pandemic. By speaking with historians and researchers, Baldwin also learned the ways that huddling has often been key to women’s survival over generations.

The book reveals something of Baldwin’s personal journey of growing up in the South during a time of relative “huddle drought” and climbing the ladder of the male-dominated television news industry. She describes the huddles that have affected her own life.

“Huddle” is a fascinating look at how women are not only adding seats at the table to make change but are building a whole new table at which all can play a role.

Register for this event.

Brooke Baldwin is a Peabody Award finalist and has been news anchor at CNN for more than a decade. She is the creator and host of CNN's Digital series “American Woman,” which focuses on the stories of trailblazing women who have broken barriers in their fields and are now helping other women do the same. In February, Baldwin announced that she would be leaving CNN in mid-April. “Huddle” is her first book. A native of Atlanta, Baldwin now lives in the New York City area. You can learn more at her website.

Suchi Mohanty is head of the R. B. House Undergraduate Library, part of the University Libraries at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She serves on the board of the University’s Association of Women Faculty and Professionals and is an active member of faculty governance, currently serving on the Faculty Grievance and Faculty Welfare committees. Her professional interests include developing student-focused services, empowering staff to lead at all levels and mentoring new library professionals.

“Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power” (HarperBusiness) goes on sale April 6, 2021 (Hardcover, $27.99). The first 50 copies of “Huddle” purchased at Flyleaf Books will contain a bookplate signed by Brooke Baldwin.

Don't forget to register for the event!