In honor of Women’s History Month, Valerie Weich will present “A Tea with Louisa May Alcott,” a living history performance in the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room on Thursday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m.  The free program for all ages is presented by the South Pasadena Public Library, the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, the Living History Centre, and the South Pasadena Woman’s Club, who will provide refreshments including, of course, tea.

Born in 1832 in Germantown, Pennsylvania, Louisa May Alcott is one of America’s best-known writers of youth fiction. During the Civil War she worked as a nurse until suffering health problems. Some of her early literary works were unsuccessful, but in 1868 she released Little Women, an instant success. The book was a cheerful, attractive recounting of her childhood and set the stage for the follow-ups, An Old-Fashioned Girl in 1870 and Little Men in 1871. Besides being one of the best-loved authors of her time, Alcott was also active in the causes of temperance and women’s suffrage. Some consider her “America’s most famous children’s author.”

Valerie Weich has already portrayed Louisa May Alcott to more than 8,000 students (mostly 5th and 8th graders) for the Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, and Los Angeles School Districts. She’s also appeared as Louisa for the Burbank, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre Public Libraries, as well as for the Pasadena Museum of History. In addition, to period clothing, she will bring an exhibit of Alcott items with her, including 19th Century editions of books, magazines, and other period artifacts. During March the Library will also showcase a display near the checkout desk of some of Weich’s other Alcott memorabilia.

During the performance, topics covered will include the inequality of women in the 19th Century; Louisa’s famous neighbors including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau; The Civil War, her family’s involvement with the Abolitionist movement, and her literary career and subsequent fame.

The Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. No tickets or reservations are necessary. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.