Saturday, January 12, 2008

Isobel Allende (paraphrased by Maureen)

I just listened to a speech by Isobel Allende on the internet. Then I went to her bio, picture gallery, and Foundation website. She is an inspiring, hum0rous, passionate person. She has written many novels, 3 of which I've just ordered from the library. I can hardly wait to start reading. Isobel talks about how women make up about 51% of the population and they have access to about 1% of the world's resources. She says that when women are empowered and educated, and employed on a global scale, the world will be saved from destruction, wars will end, equity and economic stability will prevail. At one time, her daughter told her that feminism was out-dated. Isobel responded by saying that you can change the name if you like, (giving some unique suggestions), but until women and young girls are no longer raped, exploited, living in poverty, uneducated, and under-valued, we must continue to be activists and advocates for women around the globe.

A list of some of her books:
  1. The House of the Spirits
  2. Eva Luna
  3. The Stories of Eva Luna
  4. Ines of my Soul
  5. My Invented Country
  6. Paula
  7. Aphrodite. A Memoir of the Senses

An Isobel Allende quote:

It is a wonderful truth that things we want most in life-a sense of purpose, happiness, and hope- are most easily attained by giving them to others.