Tucson Festival of Books

Gretchen Whitmer



Alyssa Essman

Gretchen Whitmer is the governor of Michigan and a rising figure in U.S. politics. Known for her bold and plainspoken style, Whitmer is a national voice on the rights of women, voters, and the LGBTQ+ community.  She rose to national prominence for her leadership in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, when her efforts to save lives in the state earned her the nickname “That Woman from Michigan” from then President Trump. Later that year, a domestic terrorist cell began planning to kidnap and kill her, a plot that was foiled by the FBI and state police.  Whitmer is the proud mother of two daughters, a huge Detroit Lions fan, and the subject of the song “Big Gretch” by rapper Gmac Cash. She is coming to Tucson to discuss the newly published Young Adult edition of her 2024 memoir,  "True Gretch"


Scheduled events:
True Gretch: Gretchen Whitmer
Not everyone you meet has been featured in a rap song, but Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer became "Big Gretch" in a song by Detroit rapper Gmac Cash in 2020. Her recently published memoir is entitled "True Gretch." In this session, we will meet the person beneath the politician. For this one hour, at least, she will be "Our Gretch."

Student Union North Ballroom (Seats 670)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sun, Mar 16, 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Signing area: Sales and Signing Area South Ballroom (following presentation)

Panelist: Gretchen Whitmer
Moderator: Nina Trasoff

Books:
True Gretch -- Young Adult Edition
Lessons for Anyone Who Wants to Make a Difference
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Simon and Schuster
January 2025
ISBN 9781665983761
192 pages
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True Gretch
What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Simon and Schuster
July 2024
ISBN 9781668072318
176 pages
Buy now