More than 50 inspirational women feature in this stunning book, that celebrates the successes and diversity of New Zealand women across many spheres and walks of life.
Author Margie Thomson believes that listening to each others' stories will help us build a better, kinder future, and this book celebrates some truly amazing women, and their dedication and creativity and boldness in different areas of society. Each story is accompanied by stunning photography which adds another compelling element to this gorgeous book.
Hinemoa Elder features on the jacket, but if you slip the jacket off the hardback underneath reveals many more of the women featured in this beautiful book.
You will discover household names, as well as unsung heroes in Womankind.
Jacinda Arden features as our Prime Minister, and she talks about her style of politics and her belief ‘that it is wrong to assume that you cannot be empathic and strong at the same time.’ She also talks about the self-doubt she sees in other women and girls. ‘For some reason, girls still do not have confidence in their own dreams and abilities.’
Mandeep Kaur has a fascinating story of being New Zealand’s first Indian-born female police officer. She shares about arriving in Sydney at the age of 26, alone and without her two children, and with no English, and later working as a taxi driver in New Zealand. She decided to train to become a police officer after a conversation with a customer in her taxi.
Katie Williams is a retired palliative care nurse, who founded the Kiwi Coffin Club whereby people can make their own coffins and personalise them. It’s all about supporting people and celebrating a wonderful life, creating coffins in a social and personal way.
Amy Maslen-Miller is known as The Samoan Scientist, and she hopes that not just Maori and Pasifika young people will be inspired by her story, that they realise that science can be accessible and fun.
Lisa Kendell is hoping to have another shot at Young Farmer of the Year before she turns 30, after being the fourth woman ever to win a place in the national finals in 2011.
Selina Tusitala Marsh is our poet laureate, a fast-talkin’ PI, and she talks about the multiplicity of being a Pacific Islander. She also shares about performing a poem for her Majesty the Queen on Commonwealth Observance Day.
This is a book to spend time with, get to know some extraordinary women and be inspired by their stories.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Published by Penguin Random House