Powerful

One of the teenage girls who waited in line for me to sign her book yesterday afternoon had a voice like a young Viola Davis. “You are a POWerful person,” she told me, stressing the “pow”in powerful. Just in case I didn’t hear her, she said it again. “You must be a POWerful person,“ she reasoned. ”Going through all that and getting up there talking about it all…”.

As I autographed their books, I got the privilege of talking with each participating high school girl. (Photo: Dana Ellenby-Bergeron).

I’m not sure anyone has ever used that word to describe me before. I didn’t know what to say in response, so I just thanked her. “You make me feel good!” I said, feeling my face start to blush. Time to refocus the conversation. ”Are you a writer?” I asked.

”I keep a journal,” she said. “But no one else reads it.” It sounded like she thought that didn’t count. Au contraire!

“That’s what journals are for!” I said. And with that simple statement, we were off, sharing stories of using journal-writing to help make decisions, express anger, share secrets. We could have gone on and on, but with other girls waiting behind her, we knew she had to take off.

I didn’t have to be able to see to know that everyone at Friday’s International Women’s Day celebration at Chicago’s Cliff Dwellers Club was happy to be there — you could feel the energy. Friends from college, writers in my memoir classes, and neighbors from our Printers Row neighborhood were there for moral support, including Ellen Sandmeyer, who lugged a cartful of books from Sandmeyer’s Bookstore for those interested in purchasing one. Eve Moran, the member of Cliff Dwellers who was in charge of the event, had already purchased a book for each of the 30 Chicago high school girls there to take home as a gift. “If you’re over 18?” I said at the end of my talk. “I’m afraid you have to pay for yours!”

The event was sold out. (Photo: Al Hippensteel.)

Sharing the stage with other women artists — a soprano from the Lyric Opera, a sculptor, a photographer and a children’s book author — to celebrate International Women’s Day together was an honor. Having an opportunity to talk about reading and writing with each of the students there as I signed their books? That was a privilege.

I felt a tap on my shoulder as I was gathering my things to leave once the event was over. It was the teenager with the velvety Viola-like voice again. She had one more thing to tell me before she got on the bus back to school.

I’m told one of the great things about the Cliff Dwellers Club is the views it offers. (Photo: Al Hippensteel.)

“Keep me in your prayers,” she said. “I’m having eye surgery next week.” Whitney’s harness fell from my palm. The news was stunning. She is so young. Once again, I didn’t know what to say, so I asked a question instead. “Can I give you a hug?”

She stayed with me long enough to talk about her diagnosis — she doesn’t have the same eye condition I do, but I knew enough about hers to talk with her about the upcoming surgery, let her know I understand how scary this is, reassure her that science and technology has come a long long way in the 30+ years since I lost my sight. I promised her I’d keep her in my prayers.

I’m guessing, though, she’ll come through with flying colors, and in the process, she’ll realize she’s powerful, too.