My American Dream: A Celebration and Conversation in Seattle

My American Dream: A Journey from Fascism to Freedom  
A conversation with bestselling author Barbara Sommer Feigin '59 and U.S. District Judge James Robart '69

Whitman alumni, parents and friends are invited to celebrate the launch of Barbara's new book, My American Dream: A Journey from Fascism to Freedom. Barbara and Jim will lead a conversation of the importance of dreaming big, working hard, and never quitting. A book signing and reception will follow the event. Books may be purchased in advance online or by calling the Whitman College Bookstore at 509-527-5274. To avoid shipping charges, you may request to have your book held and it will be delivered to you at this event.

About the book: On August 4, 1940, the Seattle Times featured a photo of a toddler sitting on a dock, surrounded by suitcases and looking dazed. After a harrowing journey with her parents, she’d just stepped off a boat and into her new life in America. Barbara Sommer Feigin was that little girl.

Over seventy years later, Feigin made a stunning discovery: her Jewish father had kept a detailed journal that chronicled their family’s escape from Nazi Germany. Her parents had never spoken of it, and she remembered nothing of their terrifying, death-defying passage three-quarters of the way around the world—from Berlin to Seattle by way of Lithuania, Russia, China, Korea, and Japan before crossing the Pacific.

My American Dream is a memoir of resilience, grit, and grace that starts with the entire text of Feigin’s father’s journal, relating in his own words the terrifying details of the family’s escape. Feigin goes on to weave together three intertwining narratives of her own life: her early years as a young, German-speaking refugee living in a small Washington town; her career as a trailblazing executive in the New York City advertising industry; and her devotion to her family.

Despite overwhelming odds, her parents’ grueling journey to America has fueled Feigin’s lifelong resolve to dream big, work hard, and never quit. My American Dream is an inspiring tale of love, dedication, and how uncovering the past and preserving history can inform your identity.

About Barbara Feigin: Barbara graduated from Whitman College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, and completed a graduate program in business administration run jointly by Harvard Business School and Radcliffe Graduate School. In her illustrious 30-year career at Grey Advertising (now Grey Global Group), she solidified her reputation as a visionary thinker. In all her years as a senior advertising executive and a corporate director, she was more often than not the only woman in the room. In 2017, Feigin was named one of the century's Legendary Pioneers by Grey. Barbara is a Whitman College Trustee Emerita, having served as an overseer and trustee for 27 years. Barbara is the mother of three adult sons:  Michael, managing editor of online healthcare company, Trellus; Peter, President of the Milwaukee Bucks; and Daniel, head of NYC’s Trevor Day School.

About Jim Robart: Judge James Robart is a senior United States district judge for western Washington. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics at Whitman before going on to earn his law degree at Georgetown University. After more than 30 years as a civil litigator, he was nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously approved as a district judge in 2004. Judge Robart is a trustee emeritus, having served on the college’s Board of Overseers from 1988 – 1999 and the Board of Trustees from 1999 – 2012, including a term as chair.