For more info visit galsguide.org

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In This Annual Report

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My Dear Galactic Glamazons, I am so amazed by what we have accomplished this year! In January 2019, Gal's Guide made the big announcement that we were going to attempt to build the first women’s history library. Was I scared? Yes. But I drew strength and inspiration from the quote, “If not now, when? If not you, who?” It was time to be brave. It felt like a slow start as we collected books, formulated plans, and applied for grants. Gal Pal Comedy Fest was an early believer in us and passed the collection hat around for donations to Gal’s Guide during Women’s History Month. In May, we got our first grant and the wind was finally in our sails. We spent the next five months buying books for the library. We were able to purchase over 650 books with the grant from Open Meadows. We also started a Book Hunter program where volunteers could shop for used books and find women’s history treasures. The more we posted on social media about the books we bought, the more donations came in. This year 552 books came into the collection thanks to donations. We love that pre-loved books are finding a new life in the Gal’s Guide Library. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Our goal for the year was to add 1,000 books to the collection. We accomplished that goal months ahead of schedule. We finished the year with 1,370 women’s history books. We also had an amazing podcast year. Gal’s Guide released 67 podcast episodes with thousands of downloads. I look forward to podcast recording nights because the Gal’s Guide Podcast has really hit its stride. Our chemistry is great and the "1 Cool Things" are so insightful but also really funny. Due to listener requests, we added a RedBubble shop with quotes from the show; now the silly things I say are on stickers and tote bags. Our outreach events were a wonderful way to get the community’s take on a women’s history library in the Indianapolis area. The response to events like the Circle in the City hosted by the Girl Scouts, Uhura Training Academy, and Spirit & Place encouraged us to see how excited people were about the library and what resources they could find in a unique place like the Gal’s Guide Library & Research Center. We have the start of an amazing book collection, now we must find the resources to open the library to the public. I need more brave warriors in 2020 to help make history. Who is with me? Much Love, Dr. Leah Leach

Founder of Gal’s Guide to the Galaxy leah@galsguide.org

mailto:leah@galsguide.org

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Our Mission:

Our mission is to build the first independent women’s history library and research center in the United States to preserve, collect, share and champion women’s achievements and lessons learned. We will act as a catalyst to creators who utilize our resources to guide others to these amazing role models who have been waiting in the shadows of history for too long. We have collected more than 1,300 women’s history books, released 120 podcast episodes, and presented to thousands of people. It is time to take these gals out of the shadows and into the spotlight where they will help all of us move forward, together. It is time to fund the construction of the Gal’s Guide Library & Research Center. Let’s make history!

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Program Spotlights 2019

The Gal’s Guide podcast features a roundtable discussion where each

guest brings one cool thing about women’s history. It is like having

your best gal pal tell you an amazing story. Podcasts are a great way

to showcase the fun and inspiration in women’s history plus we use

the resources at the library for information. 63 episodes were

released in 2019.

International jazz performer Gunhild Carling is one of our thousands

of listeners.

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Gal’s Guide celebrated the joy of discovery and organized 17 hours of women’s history programming for Starbase Indy 2019. Creating the fun and adventurous theme of Uhura Training Academy, Gal’s Guide was able to shine a spotlight on a science fiction heroine who changed the face of television and space-travel as we know it. Programs like “The Life and Legacy of Nichelle Nichols” and “Mercury 13” merged STEM subjects with a Star Trek theme providing high-quality learning programs.

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Gal’s Guide has a team of Book Hunters who have volunteered to find books about women in history for the library. Book Hunters have a long history with libraries starting with the first library of Alexandria. Book Hunters find books to stock our shelves. We provide a guide book and pay for the books they find. Our Book Hunters are paid thanks to our Pateron subscribers and grants. 818 books were brought in by Book Hunters in 2019!

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Gal’s Guide teamed up with Starbase Indy and Center for Inquiry to host an event as part of the Spirit & Place Festival. For the 24th year of the festival the theme was R/EVOLUTION. Our expert panel discussed the Evolution of Sci-Fi Fandom, its growing pains, struggles, and triumphs. Moderating the panel was CEO of Starbase Indy, Lisa Meece. Panelists were: fantasy author Maurice Broaddus, Gal’s Guide President Dr. Leah Leach, and Starbase Indy Organizer Miranda Montooth. We were nominated for an Award of Awesomeness.

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Gal’s Guide Supporters

Individual Donors

David Mott & Lisa Meece

Bethany & Kelly SchWeger

Chris & Meagan Eller

Sarah & Brian Helton

James Treakle

Mollianne Cameron

Kerra Wagener

Cindy Maples

Lisa Cardona

Debbi Sponsler

Leah Leach

Bonnie Fillenwarth

Katie Harris

Laura Edwards

Matthew Barron

Carol Jones

Jennifer Usellis

Erin MacDonald

Katie Harris

Thomas Fleming

Barbara Ann O’Leary

Rebecca Berfanger

Jennifer Colleen Ferry

Lena Darnay

Ken Lastovich

Trey Just

Becky Russell Fillenwarth

Kym S. Flannery

Kenneth H. Hackler, Jr.

Sean Woods

Jennifer Baltz

Karl Garrison

Bob Meadors

Nicole Amsler

Organizations Open Meadows Girl Scouts Troup 1747 Silver Project Humanists of Southeast Michigan Starbase Indy Indianapolis Public Library

Directed by Women Creative Eclectic Noblesville Main Street Amazon Smile Gal Pal Comedy

Thank You!!

Numbers

Total Revenue: $3,863

Expenses:

Program: $2,668

Management & General: $535

Fundraising: $140

Total Expenses: $3,343

Net: $520

Total Net Assets: $2,190

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People

Gal’s Guide Board

Dr. Leah Leach Katie Harris Bonnie Fillenwarth President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Phoebe Frear Kim Thatcher Sean Woods Heidi Yost

Gal’s Guide Staff Leah Leach Bonnie Fillenwarth Katie Harris Executive Director Library Manager Library Assistant Lisa Cardona Kami Leach Phoebe Frear Marketing Director Intern Podcast Co-Host Book Hunters Volunteers Laura Edwards Joshua Leach Lisa Meece Samantha Leach Leah Leach Bonnie Fillenwarth Katie Harris

Volunteer Presenters Liz Boger Joshua Leach Dr. Ann Burton Uhura Training Academy Uhura Training Academy Uhura Training Academy

Podcast Guests Rebecca Berfanger Kami Leach Kim Thatcher Denise Jaeckel Edan Evans de Roziere Lisa Meece Joshua Leach Kerra Wagenger

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Overview of Programs

School Outreach 500 participants

Adult Outreach 125 participants

Uhura Training Academy 148 participants

Gal’s Guide to the Galaxy 1,574 downloads

Your Gal Friday 1,460 downloads

Book Hunter Purchases 818 Book Donations 552

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Gal’s Guide to the Galaxy * 1393 Wayne Street, Noblesville, IN 46060 Tel: 317-900-1255 * Email: galsguidetothegalaxy@gmail.com * Website: galsguide.org

© 2019 Gal’s Guide. All Rights Reserved.