Julie Whan was born in Buffalo, New York, and moved to Erie at the age of ten. She graduated from Mercyhurst University with a bachelor’s degree in English.  She and her husband Alvin are the parents of two grown children – one a local firefighter and one a local phlebotomist.  Julie is a past member of the Erie AAUW and has volunteered at community shelters, angel food ministries, and the International Institute.  In her free time, she enjoys being with nature and writing. She works as a social worker in the Erie area and prior to the pandemic, she taught reading at a local pre-school. Sister Martha Howick is her mentor.