Cr Ingrid supports female authors in Papua New Guinea
26 February 2017
PETER GARDINER | Noosa News
COUNCILLOR Ingrid Jackson will strengthen Noosa's literary ties with Papua New Guinea.
She has travelled privately to Papua New Guinea for International Women's Day on Wednesday, 8 March, to launch My Walk to Equality, the first collection of writing by Papua New Guinean women.
The book’s editor, Rashmii Amoah Bell, asked Cr Jackson to represent her at the launch as she cannot attend.
"I was honoured to be invited to perform this function, as My Walk to Equality, a book of nearly 300 pages, is a landmark anthology in a country where the lot of women has been particularly difficult,” Cr Jackson said.
"In published reviews, it has been described as 'outstanding, inspiring and ground-breaking' and 'a remarkable achievement'.
"The celebrated PNG politician, Dame Carol Kidu, who has a close association with the Sunshine Coast, says it 'embraces and challenges traditional perspectives of equality' - a considerable compliment from a woman who has not always found political life easy in PNG.”
Cr Jackson's husband Keith has a long association with PNG and during the past five years has been working with Papua New Guinean writers to revive a local written literature, a project which has resulted in the publication of nearly 40 books.
"My Walk to Equality is an anthology of more than 80 poems, essays and short stories by 45 authors,” Cr Jackson said.
"The book celebrates the contribution of women to Papua New Guinean society and also articulates the struggles confronting women in their daily lives.
"It shines a light on their courage, wisdom and focus on building a better society.”
My Walk to Equality is published by Pukpuk Publications and available online from Amazon Books.
Thank you tru Councilor Ingrid. Wan bel istap wantaim yu.
Posted by: Joe Herman | 28 February 2017 at 01:10 PM
Fantastic! Tenkyu stret Ingrid. Always appreciate the support Ingrid has provided to PNG!
Posted by: Martyn Namorong | 27 February 2017 at 10:37 AM
I'm very grateful and thank Councillor Ingrid for agreeing to represent me at the Port Moresby book launch.
As one of the handful of PNG Attitude family members who was present and supporting Francis, Daniel and Martyn and I at the Brisbane Writers Festival 2016 (where the idea for 'My Walk to Equality' began), it is only fitting that Councillor Ingrid conveys my delight at all of us achieving this milestone publication.
And of course her daily behind the scenes support of Keith Jackson has played an enormous role in how you've all seen me develop as a writer on PNG Attitude and now the councillor's support has seen me, along with 44 other PNG women writers, bring our voices to print.
Posted by: Rashmii Bell | 26 February 2017 at 03:46 PM