Meet author Judith Umlas on Friday November 14 at 7:00 pm.

About the Event:

Did you study a foreign language growin up? Chance is that if you did, maybe you were lucky and had a pen pal living in another country with whom you exchanged letters in each other's language. Did that unusual epistolary friendship last? Are you still in touch with your pen pal?

Judith Umlas, author of Soulmates and Strangers, will talk about the lifetime friendship between her American mother and this latter's French penpal. An emotion-filled story that survives the geographical distance and the years, including the dreadful years of WW2.

Join us for a moving presentation and discussion with Judith Umlas.

The book will be available for sale in English and in French. The author will sign the books after the discussion.

The event will be in English.

This event is part of the AFDC "Language Without Borders" Series.

A welcome drink will be offered BEFORE the event.

Doors will open at 6:30pm

The event will start at 7:00pm and end at 9:00pm.

Parking is on the street.

About the Book:

Soulmates and Strangers, is a personal memoir based on letters the author's mother wrote to her French pen pal between 1936 and 1947. It was published by https://handlerandwagreich.com in 2022. It’s based on over 70 years of correspondence between the two young women that illuminates their perspectives on world events and personal triumphs and tragedies beginning with World War II and continuing throughout their lives. This deeply personal narrative offers insights into connection, survival, and the power of letters to bridge cultures, languages, and continents. The book has led to Judith Ulmas training groups in Epistolary Insights: Learning French Language and History Through Letters, and numerous community speaking engagements.

About the Author:

Besides Soulmates and Strangers, Ms. Umlas is also the author of The Power of Acknowledgment, an inspirational, motivational, and action-oriented book which drives home the need for acknowledgment. It also applies these principles to leadership skills, growth and development in the workplace, as well as in everyday life. Following the publication of this book, Ms. Umlas wrote Grateful Leadership, Using the Power of Acknowledgment to Engage All Your People and Achieve Superior Results, and You’re Totally Awesome, the Power of Acknowledgment for Kids. www.gratefulleadership.com

Ms. Umlas has trained over 100,000 people on the Power of Acknowledgment and Grateful Leadership, including executives of the NYC Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice, the World Bank and hundreds of corporations and government agencies - all to outstanding reviews. When she teaches the value of acknowledgment and gratitude, participants from her seminars learn the seven major principles of acknowledgment, develop key skills for delivering effective and authentic acknowledgment, identify the vast number of people worthy of acknowledgment, and establish an understanding that acknowledgment is a key factor in developing employee loyalty and engagement, improving relationships and enhancing self-worth.

Grateful Leadership, The Power of Acknowledgment and Soulmates and Strangers are Judith’s passions, her missions, and her purpose!

Host or Publisher Alliance Française de Washington, DC (AFDC)