In a world that continually demands resilience from women, few works capture the essence of strength and perseverance, like Jean Samaroo’s ‘Strong Resilient Women Make History.’
Jean Samaroo, a vibrant writer, artist, and philanthropist, has long believed in the power of women’s voices.
Inspired by personal experiences and global events, this anthology celebrates women from all walks of life – each with their own story of courage, tenacity, and the will to make a difference.
The journey of this book began in 2021 when Samaroo, inspired by the historic inauguration of Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States, compiled an eBook titled Strong Women Make History to honour the occasion.
It was a historic moment. I was excited to see this happen, and I know other women were too.
This work, released on International Women’s Day that year, was an anthology featuring voices from Guyanese and West Indian women, along with Samaroo’s own blog posts, art, and photography.
With a new U.S. election looming, this philanthropist felt compelled to revisit the theme of strong women making history.
However, the response from her previous contributors was different this time.
None of the women in the first eBook responded or were interested in sharing.
Instead of being discouraged, she pivoted, creating a new set of questions asking: What or who do you consider a ‘strong’ woman?
Samaroo’s new focus on resilience birthed ‘Strong Resilient Women Make History: Extraordinary Stories of Courage – a compilation of stories from women across different continents, each navigating unique challenges.
Resilience is something that women have had to cultivate in their own lives if they didn’t have it to begin with. Every woman’s story is important, and this book portrays the lives of a few of these kinds of women.
CELEBRATING COURAGEOUS WOMEN
The selection of women in this anthology is a testament to Samaroo’s personal connections and her admiration for the strength of others.
For instance, Samaroo’s mother passed away after a brave battle with cancer, motivating her to collaborate with the Guyana Cancer Foundation for this project.
Bibi Hassan, a founding member, was interested in this proposal.
Hassan connected Samaroo with Nicola Schultz and Sylvia Ann Diaz, both cancer survivors, to share their powerful stories in the book.
Additionally, Samaroo reached out to Makeda Braithwaite, a fellow alumna of St. Joseph’s High School.
I was impressed by all the writing she’d done, her experience, and her credentials. She was happy to contribute.
The book includes a diverse range of women—from creative writers to healthcare workers—sharing their tales of strength.
What ails women in one country is the same for women all over the world. Cancer (and all diseases) is no respecter of persons.
ART THAT COMPLEMENTS STORIES
Art plays a key role in complementing the narrative of Strong Resilient Women Make History.
Samaroo tapped into her creative community, including artists like Courtney Douglas and Florence Kersting, to visually represent the stories in the book.
Samaroo had admired Courtney’s art on Facebook and asked permission to use a pencil sketch of Guyanese women.
He agreed and sent a poem along with it that was very appropriate for a book about women.
Jean, Jack, and her roommate received an Award for “Success Redefined “– an earlier book.
Similarly, she explained to ThingsGuyana that she was introduced to Florence Kersting through a YouTube video showcasing the artist’s work.
I was mesmerised by her work and how she spoke during the interview.
After reaching out to Kersting, a friendship blossomed, and Samaroo invited her to contribute artwork to the book.
She’s 90 now, and we’ve had ongoing conversations. Her artistry added a rich visual layer to the book’s narrative.
A LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING WOMEN
At seventy-four years old, Samaroo remains committed to amplifying the voices of women.
Her earlier works, Late Blooms: Inspiration for Seniors and Making New Friends, earned her Firebird Book Awards, proving that her literary journey continues to inspire readers worldwide.
She also received a Best-Seller Award for Mindset Matters, an anthology featuring contributions from Jack Canfield and others.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH PHILANTHROPY
Beyond storytelling, this author is dedicated to giving back through her work. Proceeds from Strong Resilient Women Make History will support women and children in need in Guyana and Toronto.
She hopes to raise funds for shelters and organisations that provide assistance to those facing abuse, illness, and other hardships.
As a matter of fact, her philanthropic efforts are deeply personal. She recalls how her mother battled cancer before passing away in 1992, an experience that has fuelled her desire to support cancer survivors and foundations like the Guyana Cancer Foundation.
For Samaroo, the book is not just a collection of stories but a way to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
As Samaroo celebrates her birthday, plans are underway for her next projects, including a picture dictionary of Guyana and a book honouring the country’s Indigenous people.
Courtney’s pencil sketch of women from Guyana
She posited that these projects are about more than just creating books—they are about preserving and sharing the beauty of Guyanese culture and history with the next generation.
I hope they will be inspired by everything in the book—the stories, artwork, and ideas presented by each contributor. If the book helps them realize they are not alone in their situations, that would be a blessing.
HOW TO SUPPORT JEAN’S MISSION
Strong Resilient Women Make History is available on Amazon, and Samaroo is open to collaborating with organizations and philanthropists to maximise the impact of the book’s sales.
While Samaroo is retired and lives on a fixed income, she is determined to continue supporting women and children through her work.
Anyone interested in contributing to this mission can contact her via email at [email protected] to explore ways to collaborate and make a difference.
