AUTHOR JOAN THATIAH
Welcome to the first edition of Women Making Waves, a regular compilation of top news updates about phenomenal women making boss moves in their lives, careers, families and their environment. In case you missed, this is what women have been up to this week.
1. Guilty: Kenya’s author Joan Thatiah launches fifth book
On November 2, 2020 Kenya’s renown author Joan Thatiah shared exciting news about her latest book on her social media pages.
Guilty is Thatiah’s debut fiction novel published by Quramo Publishing and edited by Lolade Alaka.
The lawyer turned writer, who also works as a print journalist and publisher has previously authored Letters to My son (candid thoughts on life and romance), Too Pretty to be Broke (and other lies you’ve been telling yourself) and Things I Will Tell My Daughter (uncensored truth about love, money and womanhood).
Thatiah has also written, Damn Girl Stop That (how women shoot themselves in the foot). Her latest book Guilty has received good reviews from media outlets as well as individuals is available in major bookshops and retails for Sh1,490.
2. Lulu Hassan is the Most Stylish Female TV and Radio Personality
Citizen TV News Anchor Lulu Hassan (pictured), was recently crowned the Most Stylish Female TV and Radio Personality by Couture Africa Style Awards.
The TV personality who was competing against NTV’s Amina Abdi and Jane Ngoiri, celebrated her win with social media fans, thanking those who voted for her.
“Awww thank you people, I do not take your support for granted mbarikiwe sana,” she wrote.
The mother of three who works alongside her husband Rashid Abdalla has been serving couple goals on screens where they are often spotted in matching outfits. Abdalla is proprietor of Sisemikitu Clothing Line.
3. Mother daughter make history as first duo to pilot a flight
Further afield Captain Suzy Garrett and her first officer Donna Garrett, soared into the history books as the first mother and daughter pair to pilot a commercial SkyWest Airlines together.
Their story surfaced online and has been trending across several social media platforms. Word has it that Captain Suzy is one of the first woman pilots at SkyWest Airlines and has been flying with the airline for over 30 years.
Talk about a highflying family; the duo hails from a family of pilots with Captain Suzy’s husband Doug being a pilot while their son Mark is building on his flight hours.
First Officer Donna told SkyWest Airlines blog that, “I decided to fly because of my parent’s passion and love for flying…experiencing my mom and dad’s lifestyle was wonderful. It exposed me to possibilities the industry offered. Mom being a commercial pilot normalized it for me. Being exposed to the rest of the world where things hadn’t caught up yet opened my eyes.”
Captain Suzy who used to keep a low profile earlier in her career said, “…today I feel like I can be a role model for young girls who come on board and show them that it is possible. You can be anything!
Donna also pulled out some advice to women who are seeking space in the male dominated industry.
“Don’t ever disqualify yourself or think that there is anything limiting you just because you are a woman. There are so many opportunities to be successful in the industry. Find mentors and meet people who
are doing the same thing.”
4. I tried to kill myself twice: Musician Tiwa Savage opens about painful past
Celebrated Nigerian musician Tiwa Savage has spoken about facing racism in London. In an interview with Black Box by Ebuka, the multi-award winning musician said she relocated to London with her mother at a tender age of 10 years, adding that she was often teased by schoolmates over her complexion and heavy Nigerian accent.
“When I got to school it was horrible and I had an accent. My first day I clearly cannot forget. I got to school very late and my teacher couldn’t pronounce my name. She then asked why I was late to school and I said. Sorry ma, there was a go slow, everyone started laughing. I was teased so badly. They used to call me African girl. Fufu; We heard your food smells bad.”
The celebrity said the teasing was so bad that she not only had police escort her to the bus, but also considered bleaching her skin to fit in.
The situation was dire that on two occasions Savage revealed that she tried to commit suicide. That dark past aside, Savage a mother of one made history by winning Best African Act Award in Spain in 2018. She has won other awards among them The Headies Award for Best Collabo and Nigeria Entertainment Award Best Female Artist in 2014.
5. ‘Squad members’ celebrate re-election to Congress
Onto the recent held US 2020 Elections, all the four members of Congress Progressive Squad comprising Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez have been re-elected in the just completed elections.
Omar took to Twitter to celebrate their victory saying, “Our sisterhood is resilient. We are building a movement and this is just the beginning.”
Progressives are working towards transformation of the democratic party by pulling it to the left on issues regarding climate change and health issues. The four house reps who have faced heavy criticism from Republicans for their progressive positions have previously been told by President Donald Trump to go back to their countries.
31 year-old Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (AOC) who represents District 14 easily beat her Republican opponent John Cummings and retained her congressional district seat.
Ilhan Omar, 38, the first American of Somali origin to be elected to Congress on the other hand beat Republican Lacy Johnson in Minnesota’s fifth District after securing 64 per cent of votes against Johnson’s 25 per cent. In 2018, Omar beat Jennifer Zielinski.
Rashida Tlaib, 44, finished ahead of Republican’s David Dudenhoefer. She is the first woman of Palestinian descent to be elected to Congress.
According to MailOnline, Ayanna Pressley 46, who in 2018 became the first woman of colour from Massachusetts to be elected to Congress, defeated independent candidate Roy Owens.
