Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2009
Contact: Frances Caldwell, AYWN Publications, fran@aywnpublications.com Portland, OR, 503-206-8853, or Susan Philips, L.A. 323-660-4799, sphilips4@aol.com
Unique Book Brings Community Together
Almost two hundred L.A. community people crowded into S
tudio A on Hyperion Blvd. Sunday, June 14, to celebrate a new book, In the Heart of Another: Immigrant Women Tell Their Stories by Susan Philips.
The book tells the stories of eight women immigrants, all L.A. residents, from Mexico, China, Vietnam, El Salvador, and Armenia. Philips, also an L.A resident, painstakingly interviewed each woman striving to keep their authentic voices intact. The women tell about their struggles to learn the language, adapt to the culture, find jobs and raise their children. They describe the conditions in their original country that forced them to leave.
Some, like Nara from Armenia and Ana from El Salvador who were teachers, and Xidan, a doctor in China, left successful careers beh
ind. Here, due to the language barrier, they often felt invisible working at jobs beneath their skill level. Nevertheless, all of the women express gratitude for the opportunities the United States afforded.
The book event was an occasion for community understanding. Music, poetry, food, and art added to the presentations by each woman featured in the book. The audience, a broad mix of L.A.’s diversity, listened attentively and asked the women questions at the end. Here are quotes from a few attendees:
"This book is a wonderful way to teach students about the simil
arities in the life experiences of various immigrant groups. Every student will relate in some way to the personal stories of these women." Mark Elinson, Educational Consultant
“Ms Philips has opened my eyes. Eight immigrant women, eight stories. This small slice of the immigrant pie represents all foreigners' struggle in America.The most common thread? Learning English. I feel blessed, but more importantly, I've found compassion.” Bill Brown, L.A. business owner
“In the Heart of Another touched me deeply. I heard the women telling their stories of war and danger, fear and risk, of families divided and the pain of loss. Each story brings alive the complexity of the women's lives and the decisions they made. Ms.Philips has found a way to let the reader not only be a receiver of stories but also a learner of history. This book will let the world know that the stories of immigrant women matter!” Ruth Beaglehole, Executive Director of The Center for Non Violent Parenting
(photo captions: mother-daughter couples, top-Maria and Michelle, middle-Ana and Juanita, bottom-Nara and Oktiabrina)
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