A Room Of My Own

It is distressing and staggering that in this day illiteracy is still alive and growing in numbers around the world. The immediate connection between illiteracy and poverty is clear. With specific mention to women, who make up two thirds of the illiterate population, this must change. The following is an except from UNESCO on literacy; September 08, 2009 Objective :On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Celebrations take place around the world. Some 774 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and...

I am always on the lookout for Canadian authors I have yet to discover. It was while reading a fellow blog called ChickLiteracy that I became intrigued by my next new find, Elspeth Cameron . Now, this author is by no means new to the world of Canadian non-fiction or biographies or academia, no, Elspeth is simply new to me. Having authored such biographies as Robertson Davies: An Appreciation , The Other Side of Hugh MacLennan and Irving Layton, A Portrait (I have reserved the latter, it shall be my next read), she manages to tell her very own life story with ease. I was absorbed in this book from the start and finished it the next day. No Previous Experience is an intriguing and engaging personal memoir by Elspeth Cameron about self love, which she discovers rather late in life (not unlike me). This life account is a gripping and honest story about turning your back on the socially constructed expectations and really finding your happiness. For Elspeth this is discovered through a ...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... Something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... A youth she's content to leave behind.... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... One friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... A feeling of control over her destiny... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... How to fall in love without losing herself...

Poetry is making a long overdue comeback, even if it is only in my life, my eyes, my important circle in this world. And, I choose to include the poetry of Lorna Crozier in that circle. Her recent book The Blue Hour of the Day rests on my bedside table and has been of great comfort and inspiration to me since Christmas when I received it as a gift. The gift of poetry. The power of poetry. If I could send Lorna Crozier a message it would be that I value her poetry. She once wrote in ‘ Who’s Listening ?’ published in the NeWest Review in February/March 1989 that even she needs “to be reminded that poetry somewhere has value” and she adds “I write in case someone, anyone, is listening.” Lorna, we are listening and reading and singing too. Last night during the Music on Main at the Cellar Jazz Club & Restaurant in Vancouver B.C., poems from The Sex Lives of Vegetables by Crozier were set to music and performed by Leslie Uyeda. This is just one of the unique ways Lorna has inspired us...

This past Sunday, I attended the International Women’s Day Wall of Words in Bloomfield, Ontario. On this unseasonably warm and beautiful day, the town hall was bursting with guests in unexpected numbers. Women of all ages, and men too, came out to celebrate Women’s Day. The theme at this particular event was Heal Mother Earth. International Women’s Day is a reminder that we must continue to work together and understand those issues effecting women today. This day directly precedes National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10th which challenges us all to be inspired, but furthermore, to follow through with action. That brings me to a couple of ladies who are doing just that. They are Karyn of The Fabulous Giver and Luvvie of Awesomely Luvvie and they are ‘Rocking the Red Pump’. Check it out… http://theredpumpproject.blogspot.com/ In closing I leave you with a commanding quote spoken by Roz at the Wall of Words that resonated that day; We are not afraid of our ignorance....

Internationally, March has been declared Women’s History Month highlighting women’s achievements, roles and contributions in the effort towards equality between women and men worldwide. The Status of Women Canada announced the theme for 2009 as ‘Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World. Equality.’ See the web page here, http://www.cfc-swc.gc.ca/dates/iwd-jif/index-eng.html It is equally important for men to be involved in the celebration of the women in their lives and to recognize these women for the equal partners they are. I am proud to be raising four very strong, independent daughters who are clearly leaders of their generation. Over the years, they have been exposed to many powerful and passionate female role models ranging from school principals to reverends, and most importantly, mothers. I do include myself here, but the list is long in our family of strong independent matriarchs that struggle for the life they want while remaining the nurturing mother too. As a Canadian...