In this county, people of every generation pull together with a common commitment to strengthen our community.

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, the day after the election, all ages are invited to the Greenfield Public Library from 5 to 6:30 pm. We join to link the span of decades as we get better acquainted, and we join to celebrate younger people — from local schools, in college, or in their 20s or 30s. We emphasize their importance as the rising leaders of the future.

Last May, two local groups sponsored the annual Franklin County Peacemaker Awards. The Interfaith Council of Franklin County and Traprock Center for Peace and Justice have collaborated for 26 years and co-sponsor this gathering Nov. 4.

“Those awards in May are my favorite event of the year,” says Pat Hynes, a regular Recorder columnist and director emeritus of Traprock. I echo this. I leave ignited with hope after hearing each Peacemaker awardee speak. Now six months later, I want to create another celebration.

Here’s a look at what will happen Nov. 4. To start, we hear two inspiring keynote speakers — Corinne Coryat and Nate Woodard. Then we meet the HerStory Club, and finally a choice of four workshops is offered.

Coryat’s workshop is called “Female Friendship and Empowerment.” She served Franklin County for five years as an aide and then chief of staff for former state Rep. Natalie Blais. Here are some of the insights she will share.

Coryat says, “We need the next generation of young women to continue to challenge the status quo, building meaningful careers, raising families if they choose, and creating lives that are as expansive as their potential. When women have deep female friendships and mentors that celebrate one another’s ambition, we make it possible for more of us to lead our full, authentic lives.

“The goal isn’t simply to get more women into leadership; it’s to build a community where she can imagine a future of her own making, ‘a room of one’s own,'” she continues. “I’m thrilled to join our youth leaders to talk more about my own experiences and encourage young people to use their voices, because they matter.”

We are also thrilled to present keynote speaker Nate Woodard. He is chair of the Greenfield Human Rights Commission and student advisor to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. At 19, he is ready to make waves as the youngest person to run for city councilor in Greenfield. His workshop is called “A Teach-In Addressing Racism.”

An additional and important reason for gathering Nov. 4 is to celebrate this accomplishment of the HerStory Club at Deerfield Academy. President Katie Kim assembled poetry from high school feminist poets to create an impressive poetry anthology that will be given to the library. The selections we’ll hear include Katie Kim reading “Poem for My Future Daughter,” and a second poem about a mother “politely in pain” while sacrificing for her family.

HerStory Board Member Peggy Huang said when the club received the May Peacemaker Awards, “It’s important to amplify women’s voices and support future generations of feminists.” She will co-lead a workshop on “Women Advocacy” with Katie Kim, and Peggy will also perform on the cello at the start.

I value what happens when all ages are in dialogue. The workshop I’ll offer is “Joining Generations.” Sociologists say that generally in society people younger than 20 and older than 60 are treated with less respect; ageism happens at both ends of the age spectrum. But we’re showing that people of every age have things to teach and things to learn. Older people encourage youth leadership. People younger incorporate the experiences and breakthroughs of elders.

We are part of a long line of caring people. We are members of a generational long community of care and conscience. Barbara Deming, teacher of non-violence, says we “nerve each other” like interconnected neurons.

We hope that you can come and enjoy the conversations and inspirational words on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. at the Greenfield Public Library as we bring together all ages to affirm and support youth leadership and ask questions across the generations.

The Rev. Sarah Pirtle is the author of five books and a songwriter with nine recordings. She has directed Journey Camp in Deerfield (https://journeycampma.com/) for 32 summers and it has now expanded for teens.