Manitowoc native, Katie Stockman Daffner, along with a group of young, Somali women, will share their stories of refugee and immigration experiences along with readings from their collected works entitled the first winter on Thursday, July 25, 6:30 at LaDeDa Books & Beans. As co-facilitator of United ReSisters, Katie Stockman Daffner works with a group of Somali women living in Green Bay, many of whom study at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. As a leader in the United Resisters organization, Katie focuses on connecting the Somali women with supports within the community, and promoting understanding of the Somali culture in the Green Bay area and beyond.
In the first winter, the Somali “sisters” share memories, fears, reflections, hopes, and dreams in poems and narratives. Their voices, both as writers and as women, resonate with the same feelings everyone has in new situations. The truth is – life has not been easy for these women, yet their words harbor no anger. There is grace in every single selection.
Maryam Husseyn writes with mixed memories about her homeland. She misses the sound of the ocean near her home, the surrounding gardens, and welcoming neighbors. She also remembers the bombs. The injured. The dead. Still, she misses home.
In a short piece called I Speak with an Accent, Nadifo Kasim writes “… an accent is not a measure of intelligence. It is someone speaking your language using the rules of theirs.” She has instructed me with those words.
Najma Kasim wants to be a lawyer. Bisharo Abdullahi wants to be a nurse. They, along with many others, speak of their experiences in a bright and provocative collection of essays and poetry. The book will be available on the night of the meet and greet.
Additional informationon the event can be found at ladedabooksblog.blogspot.com.
