About this item
Christine Brennan, the USA Today sports columnist, author, and commentator, uses her voice to advocate for diversity and equality in the world of sports, and her wisdom to encourage future journalists. Her passion for sports was sparked by her dad, who encouraged her to participate in athletics and, as he said, "smell the game" - go watch baseball and football games together. As a child, Christine wrote daily entries in her diary and listened to play-by-play coverage on her radio. She pursued this love of words through journalism school and applied her passion for sports by reporting on them for various newspapers. Since then, she has portrayed the setbacks and triumphs of athletes, all the while fighting her own battles for success - and respect - as a female journalist.
About the Author
Julie and her husband established Claire's Day, a children's book festival in honor of their daughter. This celebration of Claire's love for reading has grown to a week-long celebration, impacting over 20,000 children and family members, and is gaining national attention.
Julie is the author of Missing Millie Benson: The Secret Case of the Nancy Drew Ghostwriter and Journalist, and Hidden Ohio, a children's book about her great State.
She just completed Her Story: Virginia Hamilton, a biography of America's most honored author of children's literature. Next up is a biography of Christine Brennan, USA Today Sports columnist. These works are included within the Biographies for Young Readers series published by Ohio University Press.
Julie serves as a member of Maumee City Council. Julie loves encouraging children to learn to read, and currently volunteers with Creating Young Readers. But most of all, she cherishes her roles as wife to Brad and mother to daughter Kyle and son Ian.
Julie and Brad received the Maumee Chamber of Commerce Hometown Hero Award (2010) Julie was honored with the prestigious Toledo Area Jefferson Award (2015) , and selected by a committee from the national offices to attend the convention in Washington D.C. Julie is also the recipient of the UT Outstanding Alumnus Award (2015) and the YWCA Milestones Award in the category of Education (2016) .
