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Endless Days

by Ailsa Ross on May 16, 2012May 16, 2012

As the first of Central America’s monsoons has turned life grey, I’ve found myself collapsed with salmonella in some nowhere town in Guatemala. This is no way to be stuck in an airless dorm, but I’ll be back soon. Adios amigos!

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In the 19th century, women were expected to wear tight corsets and big dresses. But Elizabeth Smith Miller — whose family was one of many risking their lives to help runaways on the Underground Railroad — decided she wanted to wear ‘Turkish pantaloons’ like she’d seen in Europe. ⠀ ⠀ She became one of the first women in the States to go out in a pair, which she wore under a knee-length skirt.⠀ ⠀ Her friend, Amelia Bloomer, was also impressed by this new item of clothing. She wrote about it in her newspaper, The Lily — the first in the U.S. to be edited by and for women. The bloomer was born. ⠀

Now more than ever, the world is recognizing how strong women and girls are. How strong? In the early 1920s, Inuit expeditioner Ada Blackjack survived for two years as a castaway on an uninhabited island in the Arctic Ocean before she was finally rescued. And she’s just one example.⠀ ⠀ The Girl Who Rode a Shark: And Other Stories of Daring Women is out now around the world. 🌏 ⠀ A fun, smart children’s book about women adventurers from around the world, the reviews so far are so good (it’s already received a ⭐Kirkus star ⭐)! The art is by the brilliant @amyjpeg, and there are two new chapters in this edition. ⠀ If you have any questions about the book, please ask below!

The day after giving birth, it’s said that Grace O’Malley (c.1530-c.1603) fought off an attack from Turkish pirates. It’s also said that she proposed to her second husband only because she wanted his castle for herself. ⠀ ⠀ After a year of marriage, she gave him the ultimate divorce line: “I dismiss you.” ⠀ ⠀ Truth or hyperbole, one thing’s for sure — O’Malley was one tough pirate queen.⠀

If you're in Edmonton on Saturday October 5th (that’s tomorrow!), I'll be talking all things women adventurers and THE GIRL WHO RODE A SHARK with the children’s book author Nhung Tran-Davies. ⠀ ⠀ The event is free! It’s at @audreysbooks. There’ll be coffee (and, importantly, sweets) and the event starts at 2 pm. Hope to see you there! Ailsa from @womenadventurers ⠀ ⠀ P.S. If you’re not in Edmonton, you can still buy The Girl Who Rode a Shark online from Audreys. Or at your local indie bookstore! 🍂⠀

It’s not known when the first female divers appeared on Jeju Island, but they’re believed to have been around since before Common Era. Then, in the 17th century, the Korean king conscripted many of Jeju’s men into his army. To survive, women had to go out diving. ⠀ ⠀ Since it was the women who worked from morning till night every day, they held a special place in island society. Tens of thousands of haenyeo created an industry that saw gender roles reversed. The women earned the money. The men took on most of the shopping and childcare duties. ⠀ ⠀ Today’s haenyeo come from a long line of fierce women. Up until the 1970s, they didn’t even have wetsuits to keep them warm. They just wore thin cotton outfits. They’re proud to not be dependent on anyone. But these women are likely to be the last generation of sea divers. Just a few decades ago practically every Jeju girl dove, but today’s islanders want safe jobs on the mainland. Now fewer than 2,400 women dive for a living. The youngest is around 40 years old. ⠀ ⠀ Photo: hojusaram

If you’re like me, then when you’re in a new city you probably like rooting around for old books. A couple of years ago, in Tokyo, I was especially thrilled to come across Cow Books. 🐄⠀ ⠀ Selling hard-to-find books that focus on progressive politics and ‘60s and ‘70s social movements, everything on their shelves is a beautiful wonder. But especially beautiful and wondrous is this: Staff make outings of taking the books back to their literal roots. The woods. ⠀ ⠀ Of course I had to do the same with my first book, The Girl Who Rode a Shark: And More Stories of Daring Women. 🌲⠀ ⠀ Really, what an excuse to go outside. Ailsa from @womenadventurers ⠀

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