An award-winner!

We were very excited to hear that Rachelle Goberdhan recently won 2nd place in Humber College’s Literary Awards in Poetry for her poem “Chrysalis”. Rachelle credits Desi Di Nardo’s Literature for Life poetry workshops for “kick starting” her poetry career, and we look forward to reading what she comes up with next.

Chrysalis

Laying in this deep, dank, pit of despair,
The darkness resides within.
Breeding in the absence of light,
Prostrate in wait of negativity.
Its stench lingers on the periphery,
At the edge, of where darkness meets bright.

Unshakeable like a shadow,
Full ashen clouds rumble in,
The storm has come.
It rages within, a battle of wills.
It will wash the terrain clean.
I will emerge born again.

Fresh. Anew. Simmering.
Blood, scarlet, skin.
The rising sun, a glowing, fiery ball.
A new day is born, as, am I.

Strong willed and charismatic,
A hush falls upon my approach.
Focus and determination run deep and true within.
From a deep, dark place, a bright light is seen.
A crack in the façade appears,

Bursting out,
Eager and enthused,
As my wings drip dry and unfurl,
I leap off this precarious precipice,
Venturing into the untamed,
Awash, with the still wet paint of my hopes and dreams.

Literature for Life to Roy Thomson Hall to hear Dr. Maya Angelou Speak Live

Dr. Maya Angelou’s words have been a source of inspiration and encouragement for millions of people around the world. It’s no wonder that Dr. Maya Angelou’s work has always been favoured by Literature for Life and included within our programming. Our program participants have been particularly inspired by her poems, “Phenomenal Woman” and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”.

Thanks to an anonymous donation, tickets have been provided to hear Dr. Maya Angelou speak at Roy Thomson Hall this evening. A poet, playwright, producer, director, conductor, actor, best-selling author, social activist and 3 time Grammy winner, she has a lot of knowledge and wisdom to offer the world and the Literature for Life organization from the program participants to the members of our board.

It will be an unforgettable evening.

Here is a poem written by a Humewood House, Literature for Life program participant that was inspired by a recital of Dr. Maya Angleou’s poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”:

I know why the caged bird sings

The caged bird sings unhappily.
The caged bird mind is uneasy.
The caged bird doesn’t understand his place.
The caged bird doesn’t want to be here anymore.
The caged bird wants to know his punishment; he wants to know his crime.
The caged bird doesn’t speak; he just lets out a small cry.
The other birds can’t hear him, because they’re too busy being free.
Far from the apartment walls, and stores beneath.
It refuses to eat and entertain, and his owner says he’s gotten sick;
And his time has come and gone,
A replacement is made, and no one ever knew what was wrong.

Carlene D.
May 5, 2011

How can you rebuild a city?

Here is an interesting article about a group of students in Detroit who are protesting the proposed closure of their school, which graduates an extraordinary 95% of a student body made up of pregnant and parenting teenagers. The article links to a portfolio of photographs of the students and their children by Dutch photographer Corine Vermeulen, who “hopes her portfolio brings attention to the students’ plight and puts pressure on the city to keep the doors open. “How can you rebuild a city if there’s no chance of an education?” says Vermeulen.” (Link via @kelkord).

UNMASK ME

(on repression and being compelled to wear the abaya)

Hot and angry
Deprived of my beauty
I see what they can’t see
I can’t even express
Where are my rights
We are like robots
Moving in the night
Stealthily, quietly
Can anyone out there hear me?
Time is running out
I’m not a baby factory
I’m not a machine or an object
But a person with a voice
Listen
Unmask me
Let me be heard

-A collaboration of the young women at June Callwood Centre.

A Gingerich Group Shop Night in support of Literature for Life

To kick start a slew of Shop Nights for our friends, family and clients this summer, we would like to invite you to our very first Shop Night with Gingerich Group!!

With many participating brands catering to the special woman and/or mother in your life, you are sure to walk away with something perfect, unique and fashionable.

There will be fabulous door prizes, yummy treats and of course… something bubbly to sip on (of course!).

And a percentage of sales goes to Literature for Life!

VENDORS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Address: 545 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 1M1
Phone: 416.686.7321
545 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 1M1

About Shop Nights with GG: The Gingerich Group combines exceptional service, premium brands, and innovative thinking to present a unique package to our valued clientele. More than just an agency, Gingerich Group adds value by collaborating, styling, merchandising and creatively seeking the newest and best for our client base.

The Gingerich Group also offers creative services to better serve our valued clients: event planning, corporate copy, social media.
Email: lauren@gingerich.ca

Literature for Life Mothers Day Contest WINNER!

Congratulations to Stephanie Lau whose tribute to her mother took first place in Literature for Life’s recent Mothers Day contest. Special thanks to the ladies at the Blo Blow Dry Bar for being our sponsors.

Jo Altilia and the International Motherhood Conference on Activism, Advocacy, Agency

Literature for Life’s Founder and Executive Director Jo Altilia will be a speaker and panelist at the International Motherhood Conference on Activism, Advocacy, Agency on May 12-14 in Toronto, speaking on “Literacy and Mothering”.

Jo has also written a chapter in the new book The 21st Century Motherhood Movement: Mothers Speak Out on Why We Need to Change the World and How to Do It edited by Andrea O’Reilly, which is published by Demeter Press. From Ann Crittenden, author of The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job in the World is Still the Least Valued: “This rich anthology documents the modern mother’s movement in all of its diversity. It is must reading for anyone interested in the explosion of activism aimed at the empowerment of women as mothers. Mamazons, outlaw mothers, strategic essentialists, on-line pragmatists, lesbian theorists, and more than 80 organizations representing every class, creed and color of mother – they are all here. If you want a clear picture of 21st century matrocentric feminism, look no further – this is it.”

Limited time offer: 20% discount on all preorders! or special 50% discount on bulk orders (5+ copies). Buy your books today!