International Women’s Day

Honoring Women

Do you use Google as your search engine? Do you enjoy the Google Doodles?

Google’s logo appears on the home page some days. Other days, there is a “Doodle” for a special day. It may be the birthday of an inventor – Edison was honored recently. Or it may be to honor an author or artist.

Today the Google Doodle honors women! I didn’t have to wonder what the purpose was, as I sometimes do. Even at first glance I could tell it was honoring women on this 2019 International Women’s Day.

Words for Woman in multiple languages surround the design. There are fourteen quotes by famous women, each in that woman’s language in a wonderful script.

My three favorites are a quote from Dr. Mae Jamison, astronaut and physician, one from artist Yoko Ono, and the final, from Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie.

Yoko Ono’s quote says, “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”

Chimamanda’s is little hard to read here. Her quote says, “I matter. I matter equally. Not ‘if only,’ not ‘as long as.’ I matter! Full stop.”

“Full stop,” is the British for “Period!”

You can see all 14 of them here.

Breaking Kola Book Launch

We had a very successful launch of my second book, Breaking Kola: An Inside View of African Customs, yesterday evening. The Westport Library sponsored the event and TEAM Westport was a co-sponsor.

The Igbo chiefs, Chief/Sir Chukwudi Dikko and Chief Ichie Paulinus Odigbo, and my husband Clem gave an enthralling presentation. The audience was entertained and educated.

In the photo are Chief/Sir Chukwudi Dikko on the left, me, Clem, our daughter, and Chief Ichie Paulinus Odigbo.

Chukwudi explained the importance of kola for the Igbo people. “No important social event can take place among the Igbo without first breaking kola,” he said.

“The kola nut enjoys a spiritual symbolism among Igbo people. It is believed that he who brings kola brings life, and all who partake in the breaking and eating share life, blessings and community,” he said.

Clem reminded him that breaking kola is also to honor the ancestors. Chukwudi agreed and pointed out that the Igbo people do not worship their ancestors, as is sometimes said, but venerate them.

I explain that difference in my book!

Warm and Friendly Audience

Many friends and family were in the audience. I was thrilled to have our daughter Beth who came all the way from Philadelphia, and her son Kenechi with his girlfriend Mary who drove up from New York.

My publicist Aline did her usual magic with the table presentation, selling books, and the door prize. My friend Ellie from Sister Grannies won it!

She had already left when Kenechi drew the winning name. So I brought the gorgeous basket home and Ellie picked it up this morning!

She said it made her day when she heard the voice mail message from Aline, telling her she’d won!