Pamela Rafalow Grossman

Aug 19, 2024 | kveller.com | Pamela Rafalow Grossman

In 1970, the picture book “Tell Me a Mitzi” was published, with text by Lore Segal and illustrations by Harriet Pincus. Segal’s voice — warm and funny, but never cloying — meshes with Pincus’s droll, engaging drawings to tell us about Mitzi and Jacob, young children living in New York City. The pairing of the author and illustrator was suggested by Maurice Sendak, who knew both women, and the combination makes this book a cherished one.

Jul 23, 2024 | heyalma.com | Pamela Rafalow Grossman

This past March, I celebrated my friend Jacob’s 60th birthday. The day was tremendously rainy — the kind of weather that works its way into every conversation. Still, spirits were good as we milled and chatted in Jacob’s mother’s elegant apartment. His mother is Lore Segal, known to the world as an acclaimed writer and known to me as a cherished friend. During the party, Lore sat in a corner of her living room and greeted the many guests who wanted some of her time.

Jul 1, 2024 | heyalma.com | Pamela Rafalow Grossman

Never underestimate the power of speaking up. Ten years ago, German filmmaker Julia von Heinz messaged novelist Lily Brett about the rights to Brett’s novel “Too Many Men,” which von Heinz hoped to adapt for the screen. She expected nothing — but was surprised by a response from Brett, connecting her to her agent. When von Heinz’ 2013 film “Hanna’s Journey” screened at the MoMA in New York City, where fellow German Brett was living, Brett and her agent attended the screening.

Jun 24, 2024 | source.wustl.edu | Pamela Rafalow Grossman |Claire Gauen

Samantha Searls, MSW ’13, has already packed a career’s worth of achievement in advocacy and community development into her 34 years. Raised in a community-oriented, single-parent household, she has volunteered since childhood — serving meals to unhoused people and helping run errands for neighbors with reduced mobility. Now a program director at Cincinnati’s Ignite Peace, with a focus on immigrant rights, Searls was named one of the city’s 10 Women of the Year for 2023.

Apr 15, 2024 | source.wustl.edu | Pamela Rafalow Grossman |Claire Gauen

In July 2008, Lisa Lunghofer, AB ’88, helped search for a lost pet. In the process, she found her life’s work. Lunghofer, who lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, heard a news story about a dog named Jeddah that had bolted from Washington Dulles International Airport while she and her “human dad” were departing for his next tour of military service. Searchers were gathering to locate the  missing  pup. With three dogs of her own at the time, Lunghofer felt compelled to help.