Salem Athenaeum’s writing committee celebrates Mother’s Day with a collection of true stories about motherhood in all its forms told by local friends and neighbors. Bring your mother to this event and make her proud.

Storytellers include: Zoe Culbertson, Anusia Gillespie, Felicia S. Pierce, Katie Naoum Rogers, and Jacquie Valatka.

Zoe Culbertson is an acupuncturist, meditation teacher and poet who has published work in Island Sky Journal, Wild Roof Journal, Beyond Words, Action, Spectacle, Wildfire and printed two chapbooks (Become and The Wake) on a letterpress using her own handmade paper through Persephone Press.  She is a founding member of the Marblehead (MA) Poets Group where she lives by the sea with her family. She runs Seaside Family Acupuncture in Marblehead where she is also a licensed herbalist and shiatsu practitioner and offers acupuncture in an integrative clinic at the NeighborhoodPACE program. Zoe is passionate about art, nature and supporting community.

Anusia Gillespie is an author, podcast host, and former legal-tech executive who now writes and speaks about the decisions that shape our lives. After a decade working at the intersection of law, business, and technology—including a leadership role during a $1B legal AI acquisition—she turned to storytelling to explore what she calls the “Soul Toll”: the hidden cost of the commitments we make. Her debut motivational fiction novel, Soul Toll, was written in part for her son, Raphael. Its dedication reads,“Always, fight for your light.” Becoming a mother gave her the urgency to bring the book into the world and build a life where her “yeses” make space for what matters most.

Katie Naoum Rogers is a poet, educator, writer, editor, and mother. She previously taught ELA in public school in Salem and in New York City and currently is a curriculum director for a major education publisher specializing in K-12 ELA. Her poetry for adults has been published in B.E. Quarterly, The L Magazine, and MER. Her poetry for children has been published in Abe’s Peanut in collaboration with the artist Julia Norton. Her chapbook I Wouldn’t Have Thought of It This Morning was selected as the 2010 New School Chapbook Award Series winner by poet Matthew Rohrer and she was the winner of the Marblehead Festival of the Arts poetry contest in 2024. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in inclusivity and antiracist teaching practices.

Felicia S. Pierce is a wife, mother, and Chief Executive Officer of North Shore Community Development Coalition Inc., whose mission is to invest in neighborhoods to create thriving communities, and a lifelong advocate for community, equity, and opportunity. With more than 20 years of experience in community and youth development, she has shaped pathways for countless young people, serving as a “community mother” to many through her years with YouthBuild and beyond. Beyond her professional role, Felicia is deeply committed to service, giving her time and leadership to nonprofit boards and community initiatives that reflect her belief in lifting as we climb. Her own path to motherhood, shaped by love, patience, and purpose, deeply informs how she leads and shows up for others. Today, she carries those experiences into her work, building not just housing, but spaces where people can grow, belong, and thrive. A community-acclaimed storyteller and lover of life, Felicia also serves in her local church through children’s ministry and the prayer team, grounding her work in faith, connection, and purpose

Jacqueline “Jacquie” Valatka is a dynamic Finance Manager, business strategist, and community advocate known for her ability to strengthen organizations through thoughtful analysis, process improvement, and innovation. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Jacquie’s global perspective was shaped early through an extraordinary academic journey spanning four educational systems: the Kenya KCE, London GCE, the French Baccalaureate, and a year in the United States as one of eight exchange students representing Kenya. Her work includes involvement in public art initiatives, where she serves as a mural ambassador and artist, helping to foster connection and storytelling through shared creative experiences. Beyond her professional work, Jacquie is deeply committed to community building, cultural exchange, and the arts. She lives in Salem with her husband, Joseph, and their two children. Whether she is exploring coastal landscapes at sunrise, creating art, or engaging in community initiatives, she is driven by a deep belief in the power of connection, creativity, and shared experience to build stronger, more vibrant communities.

Hosted by Katie Naoum Rogers.

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