I celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day by having stitches out from a successful hip replacement operation two weeks ago. I took a healthy walk on crutches through the park to my GP practice and back home again.
Taking advantage of recuperating at home, I’m spending time listening to the radio, reading books and testing ideas for the future.
On R4 Today’s Wednesday programme there was a question posed by the presenter – Why are there no strong girl role models in children’s literature? I reacted instantly by shouting out loud, how about Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking, Ronia the Robber’s Daughter, Lotta (on Troublemaker Street), Mischievous Meg and Brenda Brave. All published between 1945 and 1981.
From my latest reading here is some inspirational writing I gladly recommend. From different experiences and perspectives they all address courage, horror, insight and a way forward for us all.
We Shall All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was given to me as part of a birthday present a few years ago. I read it with delight. An excellent text putting the argument for equality in a clear, simple, descriptive, humorous and resourceful way including the definition “Feminist: A person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.” (p.47.) In last week’s Guardian Weekend in an interview with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie I read that in 2015 We Shall All be Feminists was distributed to every 16-year-old high school student in Sweden. I hope that excellent initiative continues year on year. With Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest book published 7 March, Dear Ijeawele, Or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, sounding as wise as We Shall All Be Feminists, I will (probably, I have to read it first) recommend every responsible country to give a copy of the new book to all expectant parents everywhere.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi was published only a few months ago and is a brilliant, elegant, terrifying and yet hopeful story and narrative covering slavery, oppression, values, history and identity – how we are all connected and share responsibility across centuries. It follows the story of two sisters over seven generations and three continents from 1700 until today. It is a book I believe should be read by everyone and compulsory reading in secondary school putting history into an honest and realistic perspective in all its complexity.”The family is like a forest: if you are outside it is dense; if you are inside you see that each tree has its own position.” Akan proverb (Forword)
Vivienne Westwood is known to many of us as a ground breaking and highly talented British designer but she is also a fervent activist. After reading her biography Vivienne Westwood when sometime last autumn I visited my local bookshop it was the title and jacket of Vivienne’s latest book that caught my eye “Get a Life”. Flicking through the book investing in a copy was a must. Over several months it has been on my desk putting me back into action by its front cover and title “Get a Life” when I have felt a little lazy and tired. Now I have read it and it is true inspiration. Fun, thoughtful, uncompromising, very clear about the importance of both talent and hard work it is a pleasure to read. Not only a great illustration of wonderful London life it also illustrates the importance of global connection and interaction. Drive and commitment across the planet by people with similar values, moving this world forward towards a more diverse, equal and competent future. “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” (p.101.)
Finally a few words about a book yet to be finalised. My friend Henrietta is writing a book about the little known but highly competent and successful early women engineers of Great Britain called Magnificent Women and their Revolutionary Machines . Please make a pledge if you believe this to be important work. Watch the video it gives a lot of information yet to be known to the majority of us.
https://unbound.com/books/magnificent-women
“Let us never cease from thinking – what is this civilisation in which we find ourselves” Three Guineas by Virginia Woolf
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.