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Desert Flower
Desert Flower | Waris Dirie, Cathleen Miller
8 posts | 34 read | 21 to read
Waris Dirie leads a double life -- by day, she is an international supermodel and human rights ambassador for the United Nations; by night, she dreams of the simplicity of life in her native Somalia and the family she was forced to leave behind. Desert Flower, her intimate and inspiring memoir, is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered about the beauty of African life, the chaotic existence of a supermodel, or the joys of new motherhood. Waris was born into a traditional Somali family, desert nomads who engaged in such ancient and antiquated customs as genital mutilation and arranged marriage. At twelve, she fled an arranged marriage to an old man and traveled alone across the dangerous Somali desert to Mogadishu -- the first leg of an emotional journey that would take her to London as a house servant, around the world as a fashion model, and eventually to America, where she would find peace in motherhood and humanitarian work for the U.N. Today, as Special Ambassador for the U.N., she travels the world speaking out against the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation, promoting women's reproductive rights, and educating people about the Africa she fled -- but still deeply loves. Desert Flower will be published simultaneously in eleven languages throughout the world and is currently being produced as a feature film by Rocket Pictures UK.
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KristiAhlers
Desert Flower | Waris Dirie, Cathleen Miller
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Pickpick

For #readingafrica2022 #somalia I chose this biography. So moving and so much strength. How she had the strength to survive what she has leaves me humble to be quite honest. Such a very good book. @Texreader @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Interesting…I‘m not familiar with this one! 2y
KristiAhlers @Librarybelle she was discovered back in the 80‘s and became a world renowned super model. She was a victim of genital mutilation and at one point was an ambassador for the UN regarding this issue. I was super happy to come across her biography as I remembered her from the 80‘s. 2y
Librarybelle Thanks for the info! 2y
40 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TheSpineView
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#WanderingJune @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB
#AFlowerintheDesert

I have not read yet. It has been on my TBR list for a while. Has anyone read yet? Your thoughts?

SoniaC I have. There are parts that are very hard to read but I‘m glad I did. It‘s a worthy book in my opinion. 5y
Cinfhen Looks like an amazing read #Stacked 5y
TheSpineView @SoniaC Good to know. Thanks! 5y
TheSpineView @Cinfhen Yes it does. I am thinking I need to move it up on my TBR list. 5y
62 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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arlenefinnigan
Desert Flower | Waris Dirie, Cathleen Miller
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BarbaraBB You nailed it again! You can use this one tomorrow too by the way 😉😘 (edited) 5y
arlenefinnigan @BarbaraBB nah, got a good one lined up for tomorrow 😉 5y
BarbaraBB I‘m sure you have! 5y
Cinfhen She‘s striking!! I‘ve stacked 5y
28 likes1 stack add4 comments
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SoniaC
Desert Flower | Waris Dirie, Cathleen Miller
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Pickpick

This was a very powerful story. I‘m not sure how she survived her childhood!

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rockpools
Desert Flower | Waris Dirie, Cathleen Miller
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#supermodel #aprella

I'm guessing this one may appear a couple of times today!
@Cinfhen @Mdargusch @emilyhaldi @Reviewsbylola

Cinfhen Oh wow!! So interesting!!! Nice choice😍 6y
rockpools @Cinfhen Yet another I really will read one day! 6y
Cinfhen OMG!! I know 😜😜😜 6y
See All 6 Comments
Reviewsbylola Great cover. 😍 6y
Mdargusch So beautiful! 6y
emilyhaldi Love this 🖤 6y
62 likes1 stack add6 comments
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YouReadMyEyes
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Pickpick

I read this about a decade ago. What an incredible an impactful memoir. This will open your eyes to some horrific conditions in other countries, particularly for women. This book led me to really start caring about and getting involved in women‘s rights issues. Reading this has changed me for the better. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in human or women‘s rights.

#desertflower #womensrights #humanrights #memoir #nonfiction

Becker Love the cover 6y
82 likes7 stack adds1 comment
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Xoxomel
Desert Flower | Waris Dirie, Cathleen Miller
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Pickpick

From herding camels and goats in the desert of Somalia to being a maid in London to then being scouted to model, this book is full of twist and turns. Waris is funny and her humor shows throughout the book. It also teaches you a bit about female circumcision and Somalian culture. I truly loved reading this. Couldn't put it down !

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Martta
Desert Flower | Waris Dirie, Cathleen Miller
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Pickpick

I learned a lot about female genital mutilation from this book. Not a nice lesson but this really explained a lot about the problem and consequences. I liked this book and it really made me think about #feminism #humanrights and #equality