Women Play, Write, and Advocate

Fashion Fun

March 5th

March 2nd

March 9th

I promised you information about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in British Vogue. You can view their photo blog called Today I’m Wearing with pics of the beloved Nigerian author showing a favorite outfit every day in March. Here are three.

I’ll try another poll. The one I did last time was  completely obvious; I apologize. It was a trial to see how to include a poll and it worked!

On the More Serious Side

Ms. Magazine published an excerpt from an earlier interview with Chimamanda in honor of Women’s History Month. Their website says, “This year’s theme – Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives – presents the opportunity to weave women’s stories, individually and collectively, into the essential fabric of our nation’s history.”

Chimamanda was asked, “Do you think of yourself as a feminist writer?” She answered, “I think of myself as a storyteller, but I would not mind at all if someone were to think of me as a feminist writer.”

In the Ms. Magazine sidebar I saw a notice about Obama’s initiative for girls’ education, called Let Girls Learn. Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet introduced it to the Peace Corps community a few days ago. Here is Michelle Obama talking about the connection.

My Next Author Talks

I will be speaking at the Westport Connecticut Library on Friday, March 20 at noon. I’m sharing the stage with Marcelle Soviero, my wonderful teacher and editor. I’d love to welcome my blog readers who are near enough to come.

We’ll be talking about memoir writing.

On April 7 I’ll be joining the Mount Holyoke College Valley Alumnae book group, probably by Skype but maybe in person if I can find another reason to drive to South Hadley, Massachusetts.

In mid-April I’m going to London to present my paper on Inheritance and Land Ownership in an Igbo Village at the 4th Annual International Igbo Conference. The theme is Igbo Womanhood, Womanbeing and Personhood. The conference takes place at The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

I’ve begun gathering information. I’ll share with you when I have more to tell.

And my friend Karen has just confirmed my appearance at her book group in Park City, Utah, on June 8!

Review of Nigeria Revisited

I was thrilled to read the review of Nigeria Revisited My Life and Loves Abroad, by David Strain, in the most recent Friends of Nigeria newsletter. I will see David in June at the Peace Corps Connect national gathering where I will talk about writing my memoir.

Call for Action

The organization All Out just sent an email asking me to sign a petition in support of a Nigerian woman who is gay. She applied for asylum in England 10 years ago. But now a judge has said she can’t really be a lesbian because she has a child and once had long hair. Huh?

I signed their petition. You can sign too.