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In her own words...
"My hope is for readers to understand that we are all the same and should embrace, not discriminate against those who don't fit our mold."
~ Nahid Sewell, author of The Ruby Tear Catcher
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The Ruby Tear Catcher: An Iranian Woman's Story of Intolerance
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Shelley Evans, event chair of
An Evening with Nahid Sewell
and VWTH supporter, first heard about the novel, The Ruby Tear Catcher, during a holiday trip. She had joined a local book club organized by a friend, and author Nahid Sewell was the guest speaker during one of the book club meetings. After reading the book and listening to the discussion, Shelley immediately recognized the relevance of the story in today's society. Her first thought was to invite Nahid Sewell to do a presentation in Victoria as a fundraiser for Victoria Women's Transition House and to ask the Victoria Golf Club, where she is a member, to host the event.
"Although The Ruby Tear Catcher is set in Iran and covers a span of 30 years, the main character's life experiences are still relevant in today's world, where women continue to suffer from gender inequality, oppression and discrimination, regardless of their cultural background,"
says Shelley Evans.
VWTH recently asked Nahid about her book, The Ruby Tear Catcher:
You've been a successful Information Technology professional with four non-fiction
books. What inspired you to write this novel?
I was having coffee with a friend, and she made the comment that the movie, Not Without My Daughter, left viewers with the impression that all Iranians are Islamic fundamentalists and should be feared. In a political climate increasingly wary of Iran, I wanted to reshape this image of Iran and show that the Iranian people are not all radical Islamist. Initially, that was my goal. But as I began writing, I felt it was equally important to express empathy for the Iranian woman, her freedom and her rights. I wanted to share the beauty of Persian culture and the warmth of its people. I also hoped to help everyone see that we're not all that different from one another.
Does Leil
a, the main character in the book, in any way project some of your own feelings and characteristics?
Absolutely. Much of my personality and character is reflected in Leila. Although I didn't experience the terrible events Leila had to endure, I identify with her. I grew up in pre-revolution Tehran and enjoyed the kind of life Leila initially enjoys in the novel. My own father, like her Baba, inspired me to be confident and independent. He treated me as an equal and taught me to expect that from everyone. He also taught me that I should respect others, even if I don't agree with their opinions and ways. Leila is my heroine. Like many women, she sometimes did things to please others, but she never
gave up her self-respect or conviction in her beliefs, and she never allowed anyone to break her down, even in the most direst of situations. Leila personifies perseverance, hope, and survival. I'd like to think that's who I am.
What do you hope to accomplish with this novel?
First and foremost, I want to educate readers about the Iranian culture and its people. For the last thirty years, my country has gone through a major transformation. The arrival of the Ayatollah Khomeini and the Islamic Republic meant changes to everyday life for all, with a major impact on women. The novel explores how these changes have affected the women of Iran while offering a message of tolerance. I hope to help people see that we are all equally deserving of respect and dignity regardless of race, religion, or gender. Finally, I'd like to give hope to my sisters in the Middle East; the women of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, or other places where they are made to suffer under cultural and religious traditions that see them as inferior; where they are not treated with the respect they deserve. There is love for them in our hearts. There is hope.
An Evening with Nahid Sewell
Friday, September 15 @ 5pm - 7pm
Victoria Golf Club, 1110 Beach Dr.
Sponsored by Investors Group - Victoria Downtown Region Office
Join us for An Evening with Nahid Sewell, award-winning writer, speaker and author of The Ruby Tear Catcher: An Iranian Woman's Story of Intolerance.
This event includes a pre-presentation wine and cheese reception, presentation and book reading with Ms. Sewell, a question and answer period and a book signing.
Copies of The Ruby Tear Catcher are available for purchase from Victoria Women's Transition House. Please call Emily at 250.592.2927 ext. 213 or email
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Nahid Sewell,
author of
The Ruby Tear Catcher.
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Nahid Sewell was born in Tehran, Iran. After obtaining her M.B.A. from Lehigh University, she launched a successful career in Information Technology and is the author of four non-fiction books and hundreds of articles. In her debut novel, she offers a glimpse into the life of women in Iran and hopes to deliver a message of tolerance.
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VWTH Annual General Meeting
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Book your VIP presentation!
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It's the start of the school year and it's the perfect time to invite our Children Who Witness Abuse (CWWA) staff to your school to deliver the Violence is Preventable (VIP) workshop.
The VIP workshop is a dynamic and interactive classroom presentation geared to grades 7 to 12 students, educators and school staff in the Greater Victoria area.
The workshop is free of charge.
The presentation aims to:
- Break the silence about relationship violence
- Increase students' awareness of the issue
- Increase students' knowledge of where to go for help
- Increase healthy relationship skills
- Develop school staff's awareness and ability to support students
Do not delay and book your VIP Workshop now. Help us spread the word and educate our youth about the importance of violence prevention.
For more information or to book a presentation, contact: 250.592.2927 ext. 205 or
[email protected].
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Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Golf Party
Tuesday, September 12th
Cedar Hill Golf Course - 1400 Derby Rd
Golf Tournament @ 1:00 pm
Dinner & Auction @ 5:30 pm
Join VWTH at the Annual RLP Shelter Foundation Golf Party in support of four local women's shelters: Victoria Women's Transition House, Cridge Centre for the Family, Margaret Laurence House and Sooke Transition House.
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Friday, September 22 @ 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Table 21 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel & Suites
777 Douglas St
$5 of every ticket goes to Victoria Woman's Transition House.
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Willow Wealth Management of Raymond James presents
Cherish: A Glamorous Evening of Fashion and Philanthropy
Thursday, October 26
Doors at 7:00 pm; Fashion Show at 7:45pm
Oak Bay Beach Hotel, 1175 Beach Drive
Tickets - $78.50
Strutting to the urban beat of DJ Jansom, sixteen of Victoria's finest dancers will model the latest fall fashions from Victoria boutiques -
Tulipe Noire,
Outlooks for Men, and
Hughes. Guests will be treated to wine and appetizers, mystery envelopes and a fantastic array of auction items. All proceeds to benefit Victoria Women's Transition House and Dance Victoria Society.
Click here for tickets and more information.
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Thank you to everyone who supported
A Summer Soiree
!
A very special thank you to Drs. Vicki and Bill Mather for
hosting
A Summer Soiree
at their beautiful waterfront home in August.
This fundraising event was a triumph with over 100
guests, live music and dancing to The Lovecats, silent and live auctions, bocce ball,
a golf skills competition, and more.
Supported by the Victoria
Golf Club, General Manager - Scott Kolb, its members and staff, we would like to extend a special thank you to the planning
committee; Vicki Mather, Paula Hopwood, Eva Kiess,
Alisa Kerr, Tilly Enriquez, Dave Schneider, Bernice Deering
and Shelley Evans for all your
hard work to make this event such a success
and to all who attended.
We are so grateful for
your support!
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Joanne Colwell D'Eramo from Moksha Yoga with VWTH's Emily Cabrera.
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A big thank you to Moksha Yoga Westshore, especially to Darci Nyal and Joanne Colwell D'Eramo for their Summer Yoga Soiree event. The event was beautiful with funds raised to go toward the VWTH shelter and our counselling programs.
THANK YOU.
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VWTH Employment Opportunities
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Join the Victoria Women's Transition House team!
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Victoria Women's Transition House Society, working collaboratively, provides shelter, support, counselling and education to women of all ages, with or without children, so that they can live free from the effects of abuse in intimate relationships. The Society strives to prevent and eliminate abuse through education, advocacy and partnerships.
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Victoria Women's Transition House Society is a registered charity.
Our charitable registration
number is: 10817 3501 RR0001.
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