YVONNE BROWN
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A Celebration of Women Writers Part 2

3/21/2013

23 Comments

 
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     My paternal grandmother died a week before her 100th birthday in 2010.  She lived a full life and was like Frank Sinatra in that “she did it her way.”  Her stories about growing up on a farm in Nebraska fascinate me especially her experience with Charles Lindbergh.  “Way before he became famous,” my grandmother said, “Lindbergh flew people in his plane to make money and he gave your grandfather and I a ride while we were dating.”

     I remember being in awe when I heard the story for the first time.  I recall thinking that my grandmother was the best supplement to my History and English classes that anyone could have imagined.  This is one reason why I became interested in Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s writing.  In other instances and in regards to other authors my curiosity about them lies in the books themselves.  There are some books that open the door to a new world, that remain with you for the rest of your life, and that stand as milestones on your journey to and through adulthood.

     Why some books are memorable and eye opening and others are merely good reads depends on the reader; consequently it varies widely by individual. The variability also depends on timing and availability, as in the Buddhist proverb, "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear." My reaction to a book depends on where I am emotionally when I read it.

     The following author list is based upon what was of interest to me in a particular time in my life.   I’ve included the authors, the book or writing that impacted me the most, relevant screen or stage adaptations, and recent accolades.   What are some authors or books that have changed you or you think changed the world? 



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Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. is an American writer, commentator, activist, and educator. She is currently a distinguished professor of English at Virginia Tech. Rosa, a 2006 Caldecott Honor Book and the winner of the 2006 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award is a picture book tribute to Rosa Parks and a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.  I remember buying this book at the Multi-Cultural Children’s Book Fair at the Kennedy Center around the time that I happily waited seven hours to pay my respects to Rosa Parks at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda where she became the first woman, and only second African-American, to lie in repose after she died in 2005.  Nikki Giovanni signed my four copies of the book of which I treasure.


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Anne Morrow Lindbergh (June 22, 1906 – February 7, 2001) was an American author, aviator, and the spouse of fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh. She was an acclaimed author whose books and articles spanned the genres of poetry to non-fiction, touching upon topics as diverse as youth and age; love and marriage; peace, solitude and contentment, as well as the role of women in the 20th century. Lindbergh's Gift from the Sea stands as a seminal work in feminist literature.  


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Toni Morrison is an American novelist, editor, and professor. Her novels are known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, and richly detailed characters. Among her best-known novels are The Bluest Eye, Sula, Song of Solomon and Beloved.  Love (2003) is her eighth novel and is one of my favorites next to Song of Solomon.  Morrison was also commissioned to write the libretto for an opera, Margaret Garner, first performed in 2005. She won the Nobel Prize in 1993 and the Pulitzer in 1988 for Beloved. On May 29, 2012, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.


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Gloria Naylor won the National Book Award for fiction in 1983 for The Women of Brewster Place.  In addition to her novels, Naylor has written essays and screenplays, as well as the stage adaptation of Bailey’s Caf’. The Women of Brewster Place was made into a popular television miniseries starring and produced by Oprah Winfrey, who is an ardent fan of the novel and its writer. Naylor has also founded One Way Productions, an independent film company, and is involved in a literacy program in the Bronx.


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Sonia Sanchez—poet, activist, and scholar—was the Laura Carnell Professor of English and Women’s Studies at Temple University. She is the recipient of both the Robert Frost Medal for distinguished lifetime service to American poetry and the Langston Hughes Poetry Award. One of the most important writers of the Black Arts Movement, Sanchez is the author of sixteen books. An extraordinary retrospective covering over thirty years of work, Shake Loose My Skin is a stunning testament to the literary, sensual, and political powers of the award-winning Sonia Sanchez.


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Alice Walker was born on February 9, 1944, in Eatonton, Georgia. She worked as a social worker, teacher and lecturer, and took part in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. Walker won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her 1982 novel, The Color Purple, and is also an acclaimed poet and essayist.  


23 Comments
Rob link
3/21/2013 02:11:07 am

My kids lost their grandmother 4 years ago, and to this day they cry about her loss.

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Cassie
3/21/2013 02:17:44 am

This is so inspiring Yvonne! I look forward to reading more of your work!♥

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Yvonne Brown
3/21/2013 02:49:44 am

Thanks Cassie! I am glad you enjoyed it! Have a blessed day!

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Yvonne Brown
3/21/2013 02:48:34 am

Thanks for your post Rob! Big hugs to your kids! Losing a grandparent is usually the first loss we experience and it is always difficult. Lucky for them, they have you to console them.

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Maria Fontaine link
3/21/2013 03:10:36 am

WOW, Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. I though I was the only one who heard of Nikki on June 12, 1977 I named my youngest son after her Frank Giovanni Fontaine he is a professional musician and play the sax ~ Latin Jazz, he's in NY, Frank will be here in LA at the Baltimore Hotel on 3/30 on fb 'Frank Fontaine Music'
I read Nikki's book in the 70's and still have my original book and continue to read her writings, Thanks for the article

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Heather Petersen link
3/21/2013 03:10:45 am

I always enjoy reading your work. Thanks for sharing your gift with us!

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Yvonne Brown
3/21/2013 03:31:47 am

Hi Heather! Your words walked on my heart. Thank you so much for sharing! Have a blessed day!

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Yvonne Brown
3/21/2013 03:30:50 am

Thanks for your post Maria! Your son's name is AWESOME! I will be checking him out on fb! Thanks for sharing! I hope to make his performance too! Have a blessed day!

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Jen @ Existential Evolution link
3/21/2013 03:38:50 am

You have such beautiful, informative posts. Thank you!

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Yvonne Brown
3/21/2013 04:13:12 am

Thanks for your response Jen! I am glad you think so! Have a blessed day!

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Megan Denby link
3/21/2013 04:07:49 am

Loved this post, Yvonne, so inspiring. I hope our grandparents knew how much they meant to us while they were still with us! Quite an awesome list of authors too! Thanks :)

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Yvonne Brown
3/21/2013 04:15:05 am

Thanks Megan! Our grandparents are filled with a lot of historical information. I encourage everyone to talk and ask a lot of questions of them while they are living. I learned more and more about my identity through these type of discussions. Have a blessed day!

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Dov Shapira link
3/21/2013 07:40:08 am

I love the women's power
And they sent the republicans a big message, didn't they
Dov

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Tina Ashburn link
3/21/2013 12:15:52 pm

I am always enthralled about stories of women. Each of us is writing a story every day. I hope ours are as fulfilling and memorable as the ones you pen here.

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Yvonne Brown
3/21/2013 12:44:12 pm

Thanks Tina!! I agree!

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Jenny link
3/21/2013 12:29:18 pm

Your writing is very engaging you have a real gift and it is appreciated

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Jemaria Ware link
3/21/2013 01:54:26 pm

I absolutely love all of these women. They are some of my favorites. Although my favorite is Zora Neale Hurston. They make me proud to be a woman.

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Yvonne Brown
3/21/2013 01:57:01 pm

Yikes! Jemaria you are so right!!! I meant to put ZNH on here too!!!!

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Johnathan link
3/21/2013 03:17:30 pm

It is so great to have stories about your Grandmother like this. A true treasure to have and to be able to share with your family. Thanks for sharing with the world too.

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Diana link
3/22/2013 12:25:58 am

Hail to all female writers! Great blog, Yvonne! Regards from Diana Marie of VA for Life (from Dov's group)

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Robin link
3/22/2013 01:24:48 am

I love the way your posts are so filled with life and teach us things we never knew!

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Yvonne Brown
3/27/2013 11:41:52 pm

Thanks Robin! I equally appreciate your thoughtful commentary!

YB

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Kevin Hardin link
3/22/2013 08:33:23 am

Yes, we need to remember the impact women have had on our history.

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