"Endless ice. Thin air. The threat of dropping into nothingness thousands of feet below. This is the climb Silvia Vasquez-Lavado braves."

The Midtown Scholar Bookstore is pleased to welcome humanitarian and mountaineer Sylvia Vasquez-Lavado for an in-person conversation and book signing on her page-turning, pulse-raising memoir following her journey to Mount Everest, In the Shadow of the Mountain. Vasquez-Loavado will be in conversation with local journalist Karen Hendricks. This event is free and open to the public, with registration.

This is an in-person event with a live-stream option via Zoom. Registration is required. Doors will open at 6:15pm, and the event will begin at 7:00pm. Virtual attendees will receive the event access link 24 hours and 1 hour before the event begins.

Vaccination Requirements:

You must show proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for entrance to this event. We will accept either a physical vaccination card, digital card, or a photo of the card on your phone. Per the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

Event Policies:

• Seating is general admission; first come, first served

• Masks are required

• Book browsing will not be permitted after 8pm

About the Book:

Endless ice. Thin air. The threat of dropping into nothingness thousands of feet below. This is the climb Silvia Vasquez-Lavado braves in her page-turning, pulse-raising memoir following her journey to Mount Everest.

A Latina hero in the elite macho tech world of Silicon Valley, privately, she was hanging by a thread. Deep in the throes of alcoholism, hiding her sexuality from her family, and repressing the abuse she’d suffered as a child, she started climbing. Something about the brute force required for the ascent―the risk and spirit and sheer size of the mountains and death’s close proximity―woke her up. She then took her biggest pain as a survivor to the biggest mountain: Everest.

“The Mother of the World,” as it’s known in Nepal, allows few to reach her summit, but Silvia didn’t go alone. She gathered a group of young female survivors and led them to base camp alongside her. It was never easy. At times hair-raising, nerve-racking, and always challenging, Silvia remembers the acute anxiety of leading a group of novice climbers to Everest’s base, all the while coping with her own nerves of summiting. But, there were also moments of peace, joy, and healing with the strength of her fellow survivors and community propelling her forward.

In the Shadow of the Mountain is a remarkable story of heroism, one which awakens in all of us a lust for adventure, an appetite for risk, and faith in our own resilience.

About the Author:

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado is a humanitarian, mountaineer, explorer, social entrepreneur, and technologist living in San Francisco. In 2014, she launched Courageous Girls, a nonprofit that helps survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking with opportunities to find inner strength and cultivate their voices by demonstrating their physical strength. Courageous Girls has had projects in Nepal, India, the United States, and Peru. Vasquez-Lavado was recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the Corporate Heroes of 2015. CNET named her one of the 20 Most Influential Latinos in Silicon Valley. She has also been recognized by the Peruvian government as one of the “Marca Peru” ambassadors (country brand ambassadors). She is a member of the Explorers Club and one of the few women in the world to complete the Seven Summits.

Karen Hendricks is an award-winning lifelong journalist of more than 30 years and an award- winning public relations and marketing professional of 15 years. Karen’s writing is regularly published in numerous magazines including TheBurg, Harrisburg; she also hosts and produces TheBurg Podcast, which has garnered journalism awards in statewide competition.

The foundation of Karen’s news career was devoted to television, radio and newspaper. Karen recently completed a year-long challenge of running 50 races for 50 causes while she was 50. In addition to running, she enjoys hiking, biking and RVing with her family. She’s also a foodie who loves cooking and gardening. With William Penn in her family tree, Karen has a passion for all things Pennsylvania. A native of Philadelphia, she’s called central Pennsylvania home for more than 30 years. You can find her writing at HendricksCommunications.com and she’s at Instagram and Twitter @karenhendricks9.