Women Warriors-the Yin way
As we wish each other Women's day, i am reminded of the many Women Inspirers/ Mentors/ Trailblazers/ Torch bearers who in their own right can be looked upon as Women Warriors.
*This post will keep evolving with additions as they come.
Dr. Wei shares an illustration from her book, ‘Legends and Folklore of Vietnam’
Some interesting Books besides the chair of Photobiologist and Scientist Rajni V Govindjee
The Women Warriors…
They do not fight per se, but like Water’s Yin way,
maintaining their force and their flow,
at times carving new paths
and sometimes just following with the conventional flow
Bringing in inspiring light and beauty into our world.
They hold the capacity to annihilate
what is petty and unjust
fighting with purpose and with weapons
that no men can hold
for their strength is not that of muscles
but inspired by purpose and powered by love.
They stand by their convictions,
surviving through unconducive terrains
dedicating their life for their relations
and also for their aspirations
with integrity and care.
They are our Women Warriors
Our Light, our trailblazers,
shining the way for the next generations to come.
This compilation is a Salutation to all such Warriors living amongst us, with whom i feel fortunate and honored to have come across while working on the Inquiry project.
I am grateful to all my friends, without whom meeting with such Women of grace would not be possible. Lets dedicate this Women's day to all Women who inspire us empower us, including the Warrior within each of us who fights the Yin Way.
Dr Tam Wei
Dr Tam Dang Wei sharing incidents from her book- ‘The Story of my life’
I was fortunate for a chance to meet with Dr Tam Wei who has walked this planet for almost a century now! Thanks to my friend Nada, for connecting us! Nada is herself jovial and fun loving, making everyone around feel friendly! That helped pacify my fear of meeting such a personality as Dr Wei.
And when I actually met Tam, her Loving gestures were comforting, evaporating any fears i had.
Almost a centenarian now, Dr Wei is dresed crisply, maintaining her residence equally artistically appealing, with many artworks and books and family pictures and houseplants. Her Love and Happiness reflects in every corner of her space while she emits the same with her smile and laughter and friendly talks. At this age she is full of enthusiasm, energy and a sharp memory. She jokingly told me on the phone recently, "I am busier now than when I was working a job" and I totally believe that, watching her schedule, the projects she is working on, managing her own appointments, going for groceries and sometimes making crafts and Legos with her family members. One can’t help but feel charged up with her liveliness when around her.
Dr Tam Wei might have lived her life 3 times more than us common people. There is just so much she worked on in the field of Education. Being a devoted student of Piaget's Educational Psychology, she continued to apply what she had studied in Geneva with her Principal and teacher, Jean Piaget. Dr Wei helped start new projects for diverse communities in local schools in and around Champaign County during her tenure as a school psychologist for a decade. . She helped start the East Central Illinois Mutual Refugee Center and has authored and co-authored several books.
Tam Wei's book, The Legends and Folklore of Vietnam is a sweet little bundle of cultural Folklores with equally cute illustrations she drew herself.
Her book- 'The Story of my Life' is an insightful biography of her life events and experiences with many photographs.
Tam is now happily residing at the Clark Lindsay residence and continues to be busy meeting people, sharing her stories, books, insights and the Love for life through her smiles and talks. It feels like my journey with Dr Wei has just begun, there is so much to discover about her inspiring work.
Photobiologist, Rajni V. Govindjee
Celebrating 88th birthday- A Tribute to Rajniji and her work
Photobiologist and Scientist, Rajniji shares her research stories and experiences on her journey as a Women Scientist of her times.
impressive to hear Rajniji’s memories for details and the complicated terms and incidents dating back more than half a century ago.
I had the honor of meeting Photobiologist Rajni V. Govindjee and Professor Govindjee at my friend, Suci’s place. The senior 90+ years young couple have came to Urbana Champaign and pursued their research on Photosynthesis. I had silently admired Rajniji for her smart talks and clarity in whatever little she spoke.
I am grateful to Suci (alias name), for arranging a meet with these amazing Photosynthesis Scientists. A Professor herself, she is an inspiration for me, not just with her work but as a wonderful person, a complete Women!
As we enter Rajniji and Govindjee's beautiful residence, I am first awed by the various artworks around on walls and immediately feel at home with their warm welcome. Rajaniji's chair is beside a pile of books. Some she had mentioned earlier (like ‘The other Einstein’) and some she said she is presently reading (like ‘The last Mughal’). I was humbled by their simplicity and friendliness in contrast to their high achievements and work in the field of Sciences.
As our conversations unfolded, both Scientist shared interesting memories. More on their works in relation to our projects, coming soon in the other posts.
Today is specially to pay respects to Rajniji for being the firm women scientist, pursuing her studies against the odds. Sometimes facing discrimination, at times not getting her professional fair share, nevertheless continuing her work with integrity and care. Rajniji’s involvement in present affairs of Science, her reading of books on such diverse subjects, yet sharing her experiences from half a decade ago with such vivid details is positively infectious. Let's hope more youngsters know about Rajniji’s inspiring stories on Photosynthesis.
I am humbled for a chance to spend time with all these wonderful Scientists including Sayee!.
Ms. Suzane Newman (Zenne)
Ms Newman with one of the underwater robot project
Lego robotics tournament at UIUC
Ms Newman is the STEAM teacher at Franklin Steam academy. She is a trooper, not just fighting cancer but also dealing with the school systems that are outdated with myopic visions.
I remember my initial meets with Ms Newman were while volunteering as a translator for school students a few years ago. Zenne was like a whirlwind getting from one table to another helping connect students with translators, checking her list, and once all started smooth, disappearing and then coming back to help us
Ms Newman has been managing Lego Robotics club along with the tournaments, she has managed the school AVID trips at campus (Beckmann institute), Helped with funds for Garden Club, and is always supporting STEAM activities school wide and outside of it .
Ms Newman faced the challenges on her job when administrative events were not in her favor, they decided to bulldoze her Magnet Steam space in middle of the winters with a very short notice. Her health has been deteriorating after chemo, yet she has been working till recently with the same fervor for STEAM with kids, Ms Suzzane Newman is an inspiration as a Progressive thinker, a dedicated and caring Teacher, a loving and proud mom, a strong Warrior Women.
As Zanne is on leave fighting the aftereffects of chemo, let’s keep her in prayers and warm thoughts.
Our salutations to Ms Newman on this Women's day.
It feels an honor to be able to share the inspirations from these Women of high achievements. They have paved the way for us and for generations to come. They are the reason for the advancements in many respects we see today. Hope their stories and their work catalyses a progressive change, inspiring Women and men equally.
Salutations to them All!
Salutations to them All!