Sharon Hewitt Virtual Book Club

Without the dedication of Sharon in the early years as the first president of ARCS Oregon from 2004-2006, our Chapter would simply not exist. Hewitt was one of the founders of ARCS (then Portland) Chapter in 2002. Her cohorts were Nancy Fischer, Mary Ann Lockwood, Ellen Richardson, and Cornie Stevens, who all shared a connection to OHSU. Sharon loved ARCS. She and her husband, Henry, created an endowment to support scholars in perpetuity at OHSU.

Hewitt passed away suddenly in 2025, and chapter members are trying to cope with the loss of a member who was a friend and strong leader for years. To honor Sharon, the Chapter created a book club in her name since she loved to read.

To prepare for the upcoming Virtual Book Club Meetings below is the schedule for 2026-2027

September 8, 2026
Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This beautiful, nature-centered, and very personal book blends Indigenous wisdom, hard science, and reflections on human relationships with the land. This is a classic for a reason.

December 8, 2026
Let It Go: My Extraordinary Journey—From Refugee to Entrepreneur to Philanthropist. Stephanie Shirley’s autobiography tells the story of a software industry pioneer. Shirley escaped the Nazis as a child, helped open doors for women in STEM fields, and supported autism research through her philanthropy.

March 9, 2027
In Praise of Imperfection by Rita Levi-Montalcini. The author, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, recounts her childhood in Italy, her survival during the rise of fascism, and her biological research in the U.S.

June 8, 2027
Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science and the World by Rachel Swaby. A collection of short, inspiring profiles of women scientists across history. There are so many remarkable women featured in this small book that you’d be hard-pressed to find a more inspiring overview.