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Shoshana Frank

Shoshana Frank

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While working at the Naperville Public Library, Shoshana introduced books about Jewish and LGBTQIA+ characters so people can access books with characters with identities like their own. This is only part of her work to improve the world for Jews, women, people of color, and the LGBTQIA+ community - she is an advocate for equality and free public access to education. 

She is the Director of Advocacy of the National Council of Jewish Women and is a member of the LIFTs leadership program. She is the Immediate Past Public Policy Chairperson at the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in Naperville, and the Immediate Past President of the Naperville Community TV17 Board of Directors. 

As part of her library work, Shoshana was honored as a 2022 Emerging Leader at the 2022 American Library Association (ALA) winter conference. She is also involved with the Downtown Naperville Alliance, Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional Network, Chabad of Naperville and Congregation Beth Shalom.

AGE:
32

PRONOUNS:
She, Her, Hers

PRIMARY GIG:
Assistant Director of Administration and Events, Chabad of Naperville

ON THE SIDE:
Audiobook reviewer, ALA's Booklist and Freelance Professional Librarian

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS:
I am hard pressed to identify a single accomplishment that I am most proud of because there are numerous things that have brought me great satisfaction and joy: leading the Naperville Community TV Board to a firm financial position and strong leadership succession; creating the foundation of AAUW Naperville's issue action team and developing clear social action processes for the organization; having strategized and managed a successful, top vote getting, campaign for the first Asian American city council member; earning two master's degrees; everyday personal interactions with library patrons helping them access information and find just the perfect books.

YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
Be weird; find your fellow weirdos so you all can live authentically without fear.

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
Stop working professionally, instead dedicate my time to volunteer endeavors and activism. I would also donate at least 50% of my yearly income to social justice causes and not-for-profit organizations.

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