I met Gale in a writer’s group almost thirty years ago, a group that dwindled down to just Gale and me, so we later formed the group that has become ROOT Writers. But Gale was so much more than a writing buddy; she was a mentor as I navigated single-parenthood and career challenges. I looked up to her because of her integrity and wisdom, and I joked with her on many occasions that I needed a bracelet: W.W.G.D. (What Would Gale Do?) to remind me to make good choices.
Fortunately for me, Gale was always there when I needed her, and I know many of her friends can say the same – she was a stalwart friend who made time for the people she loved, and sometimes, for people she didn’t like or didn’t even know, because that’s who she was.
Now more than ever, I want to live my life with the same integrity, wisdom, and joie-de-vivre that Gale embodied her whole life. W.W.G.D.? You could do worse for a guiding principle. – MB
This page is dedicated to the ways you could answer the question, What Would Gale Do?
WALK
Gale would have been walking everywhere, especially around the Highland Park Reservoir or around Oakland or perhaps a foreign country, as we know she loved to travel and explore the world. Consider taking a walk for your mental and physical health and think of Gale.
We did it!
Gale’s bench is now in place at the Highland Park Reservoir near the filtration buildings. Thank you to all who contributed to make it possible.
THANK YOU TO THE DONORS:
|
Celeste Allen |
| Michelle Belan |
| Jim Bender |
| Jane Branscomb |
| D.L. Brophy |
| Mike & Jen Cerce |
| Cynthia Chertos |
| Frances Connelly and Mary Wessel |
| Cheryl Cutrona |
| Ellen DBenedetti |
| Anne Franks |
| Naomi Grodin |
| Lauri Grotstein |
| Barbara Jaquish |
| Michael Jehn |
| Donna Kell |
| Dawn Lehman |
| Randy Sue Morris |
| Deborah Nichols |
| Marc Nieson |
| Roger Rouse |
| Hank Snell |
| Susan Thibadeau |
| AnneMarie Tocchet |
| CASH contributions at the Celebration of Life |
GET POLITICAL
Now that the 2024 election has turned out the way it has, Gale would be on the front lines of the resistance.
She may have been more busy in retirement than she was when she worked full-time. A great way to honor her memory would be to ensure the future of democracy, one postcard at a time.
Get Involved
Indivisible Grassroots Pittsburgh’s weekly calendar is an email we send out to busy folks who typically avoid social media but want to participate in volunteer activities that are available throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. These activities (rallies, marches, postcarding, forums, debates, campaign activies, informational zooms, etc…) are typically posted on platforms such as Facebook, X, email, etc…, We collect and organize the information so that interested people can refer to dates/times and actions, without having to do an extensive search themselves. Each week/month, people can coordinate their availability to match with the issues that are important to them and the skills that they can contribute. We also include an “info” component to help people find more information about topical issues. Our email list is not shared with anyone – it is exclusively devised to help everyone take action as they are able.
To sign up, contact Debra.
GET EDUCATED
Gale was a big fan of Heather Cox Richardson and her Substack Letters from an American.
Heather puts current events into historical context in a very accessible way, so we can understand what is important about the news as it is happening.
Heather is also available on Facebook, and Apple Podcasts and Gale highly recommended her. (I’m a big fan too. MB)
READ A BOOK!
Gale had a fantastic library of books, and many of her friends received books from her collection once she left us. In the interest of preserving the Gale McGloin Memorial Library, here’s a link to a google doc of the library. The books that did not find other homes are marked with an asterisk and may be available for circulation among the Friends. Contact Michelle if you want to locate a particular book.