May 14 - The Flower Wizard of California , and
Brave 

“In the field of your imagination are all possible flowers,” claimed Theodosia Burr Shepherd, the famous Flower Wizard of California who founded the world famous Shepherd’s Gardens in Ventura, CA.  “In the love of flowers…[it is] as if the soul of the plant comes in touch with our soul. If the plant possesses the power to around such strong vibrations within us, is it possible the vibrations from us are received by the flower? We and the plant are the manifestations of the same force.”

The first woman in America to hybridize flowers Theodosia Burr Shepherd founded California’s seed industry with her world-renowned seed and bulb business here in Ventura, CA.  Written by her daughter Myrtle Shepherd Francis and edited by award-winning author Matthew J Pallamary, the biography uses both story and photographs to capture the life of the pioneer feminist. Theodosia sent her seeds and bulbs all over America and abroad, to England and Europe, even as far as Australia and Algiers. Her extraordinary gardens in Ventura were full of her exotic creations and drew many notable visitors; among them the famous seed man W. Atlee Burpee, suffragettes Julia Ward Howe, and Susan B. Anthony. It was said that her gardens “put Ventura on the map.” Theodosia birthed many new flowers, and in Ventura, the “making” of new flower varieties was as common for women as creating cake recipes in other places. Gwendolyn’s great-grandmother worked for Theodosia and Myrtle, and her grandfather grew up in Shepherd’s Gardens. Learn more about this remarkable woman from our special guest speaker, through writing, and discussion.

We will also read and discuss a brand new book by another Ventura County luminary, Tongva artist and illustrator Weshoyot Alvitre who has her first children’s book coming out April 15. If her schedule allows, she will join us May 14.  Please bring a notebook and a fast pen.