The Meredith Alumnae Association’s most recent Author Chat featured the author of The Feather Detective, which tells the story of Meredith alumna Roxie Collie Laybourne, a trailblazing woman who was the world’s first forensic ornithologist. 
Laybourne, who graduated from Meredith in 1932, worked at the Smithsonian Institution and used her skills in identifying feathers to solve a remarkable number of mysteries.
Journalist Chris Sweeney visited Meredith’s campus on September 25 and was interviewed by Hilary Allen, ’01, director of alumnae relations, about his book and why he calls Laybourne a role model.
“I just find her to be the type of person that we should all look up to. This is the type of role model that we should have,” Sweeney said. “She helped others, she helped science, she helped us understand her world, and she did it with grace and creativity.”
Sweeney, who first wrote about Laybourne in an article for Audubon magazine, covers her life and career in his book.
“She was so resilient, so determined, and so clever. She embarked on some very difficult scientific endeavors, and she thrived in some adverse social environments,” Sweeney said. “She is the exact kind of role model we need more of in today’s world, and I hope this book will introduce her legacy to a large audience.”
Around 70 alumnae and community members registered for the author event. Also in attendance was Carla Dove, who worked with Laybourne at the Smithsonian and was mentored by her. Dove is also featured in The Feather Detective.
Sweeney took questions from the audience, and Dove answered a few questions about her experiences working with Laybourne at the Smithsonian. The topics ranged from specific questions about cases involving Laybourne’s feather expertise, the process of researching and writing her story, and how her work still has an impact on our world.
The Feather Detective was published on July 22 by Simon and Schuster and has been named one of NPR’s most anticipated books of the summer.