More than 700 people of all ages lined up around the block to meet author, Clinton Foundation Vice-Chair and former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton Oct. 21 at Women and Children First bookstore.
Clinton signed copies of her children's book Start Now!: You Can Make a Difference. Her book focuses on how young activists can make a difference regarding health, hunger, climate change, endangered species and bullying.
"We are absolutely delighted that Chelsea decided to come into our neighborhood community to sign copies of her new book at our store," said Women and Children First Co-Owner Sarah Hollenbeck. "She chose to do an in-store event rather than going to a large venue off-site because her mother also did an in-store book signing here in 2003 for her memoir. This was a very family-oriented event so there is a wonderful community spirit in the air because of that connection."
Clinton also met with Bake Sale for Justice youth activists and their parents who were there to sell their wares outside of the store during the event. All monies raised from the bake sale will be going to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. The total amount was $2,520, the most ever raised by Bake Sale for Justice at a single event.
"The store asked us to come to this event because we are here every month selling our products," said Bake Sale for Justice Creator Anne Fogarty. "So much of Chelsea's writing for kids is all about activism and empowering youth to take responsibility for the problems facing our world today and that is what Bake Sale for Justice is all about."
"I think it is important to do events like this because some people get annoyed when there are bad things going on in the world but they do not do anything about it," said Fogarty's daughter, activist Nora Fox, who is in seventh grade. "We have a voice and can use it to change things. It is a good day to be doing this bake sale because a lot of people are here to see Chelsea and they will learn about what we do and spread our message to their family and friends."
Clinton has also written a number of other children's books and has done numerous speaking engagements over the years.