This article is written Giulia Pustorino, Regional Lead for Cumbria, UK.
Since early 1900, in March, the International Women’s Day has been celebrated all around the world. Worldwide, the celebration varies to remember women’s rights. I was born and raised in Italy, where to celebrate women on the 8th of March, men donated yellow mimosas to women.
Since I moved to the United Kingdom, the mimosas are not easy to find, and last year I received a book instead.
“Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls” a children’s book packed with 100 bedtime stories about the life of 100 extraordinary women from the past and the present.
Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo wrote this book. The first volume was published in 2016, funded through crowdfunding.
The back cover has a brief description of the story: “What if the princess didn’t marry Prince Charming but instead went on to be an astronaut? What if the jealous stepsisters were supportive and kind? And what if the queen was the one really in charge of the kingdom?”
I am no longer a child, but I loved to read one story per night, letting these great women inspire my dreams. The stories are short and easy to read. Each of them has an illustration made by woman artists and a quote of the character.
Reading the stories, I put myself in lots of different shoes, but it is the last one the one that I liked most.
The Story of Zaha Hadid: “queen of the curve”. An immigrant woman came to the United Kingdom with an uncommon determination and the ability to create buildings that no one else could think of. Zaha Hadid was the first women to individually receive the Royal Gold Medal, for Architecture in 2016.
Albert Einstein said, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.” – and for this reason, I recommend you to read this book.
There is a lot that all of us can learn from these women. Wake up every morning being on your side, believe in yourself and your dreams.
Moreover, I hope that one day there will be no need to write a book to remember that women belong in all places.
