Ethiopia Elects Woman President
Ethiopia’s newly elected president. Picture from AlJazeera.
The presidency in Ethiopia is a ceremonial position. Power resides with the Prime Minister. Still, this is a milestone.
I read about Sahle-Work Zewde‘s election first in a Nigerian online newspaper that referred me to the BBC Africa News. Then I read more in the Council on Foreign Relations blog, “Africa in Transition.”
The blog writer reiterated the importance of the position. “Though the role is largely ceremonial, it holds symbolic importance for women across the country and the continent, as Zewde will be the only female head of state in Africa. (Saara Kuugongelwa-Ahmadhila, prime minister of Namibia, is the only female head of government in Africa.) In her opening speech, she emphasized the importance of equality, telling MPs that if they thought she was talking too much about women, that she had only just begun.”
Good for her! The blog post also says, “Women in ministerial roles are slowly changing the face of African politics. Their presence is a necessary—if not sufficient—element to achieving long-lasting equality and stability.”
Isn’t that what the UN Women report I wrote about last time said? They were referring to women in peace keeping roles, as mediators, negotiators, or signers. The same theme – we need more women in roles with power and influence!
Scene from Ake Festival 2016
AKE Festival in Lagos
Brittle Paper, the blog that keeps me up to date on African literature, reminded me that the Ake Arts and Book Festival is going on now.
“This is a six-day festival that celebrates books and other interconnected facets of the arts. The festival features master classes and workshops in various aspects of performance art, visual art, drama, fashion, music, film, dance and writing.”
Tonight I found that my friend Liz Bird is there! I told you about her most recent book, Surviving Biafra, A Nigerwife’s Story, written with Rosemary Umelo, a couple of weeks ago. She is also the author of the Asaba Massacre.
The Asaba Massacre by Elizabeth Bird.
At my book group on Wednesday evening we were discussing what we want to read in the next few months. We mentioned classics like Things Fall Apart it might be fun to read again. The book group had read it before I joined!
My friend Sonja said, “But there are also so many new books by African writers coming out today. I even saw several at Costco!” (For those who aren’t familiar with Costco, it is “big box” store that sells things in bulk and at great prices. It’s not exactly a source for literature though they have a table of books.)
When I saw the notice about the AKE Festival the next day, I forwarded it to Sonja and said, “We should do a ‘road trip’ next year.” Of course it would be an airline trip, not a road trip! But wouldn’t it be wonderful?
Maybe I can get an invite to be on a panel when my next book comes out, which should be soon.
International Women’s Day 2019
For International Women’s Day 2019 the theme is: Think equal, build smart, innovate for change. International Women’s Day is March 8th each year.
The announcement came out via UN Women’s website.
They have ambitious goals: “International Women’s Day 2019 will look to industry leaders, game-changing start-ups, social entrepreneurs, gender equality activists, and women innovators to examine the ways in which innovation can remove barriers and accelerate progress for gender equality, encourage investment in gender-responsive social systems, and build services and infrastructure that meet the needs of women and girls and the SDGs.”
Can you name any of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals that relate to women and girls?
“Gardening While Black” Brings Police
I read this story in The New York Times. It made me so sad! The man was creating an urban garden in a disused park area. He encouraged neighborhood children to help.
White women who lived by the park called the police several times, and accused him of crimes that he did not commit. He was arrested.
Fortunately the judge threw out the case but it should never have been a case in the first place! The fear of Black men that has been part of our society is not just hurtful, it is evil and unjust!
We need more people of color in positions of power and influence.
Didn’t I just say that about women? Let me say it again, especially in this country, about women of color, and men of color!
Mount Holyoke Alumnae at our annual cocktail party
Mount Holyoke Alumnae Gathering
Tonight was our annual cocktail party for Mount Holyoke Alums and friends in Fairfield Connecticut. Anne Watkins and her husband John were our hosts again. I have a good time talking to men and women I already know and meeting a few I didn’t know before.
We were a small group tonight. One of the husbands suggested taking a picture of the women.
