We Are The Ancestors

Daughters of resilience, sisters of rebirth, mothers of legacy.

“We are not only living, we are becoming, with every breath, the ancestors they will call upon”

Malisha Awunor

We are the Ancestors is a collection of stories from the lives of ordinary women as told in their voice; not polished, neat or overly structured. Malisha’s intention was to document the stories that have shaped us, to ‘honour women whose lives might appear ordinary on the surface yet carry extraordinary depth when we take the time to listen.’

As I read each story of women from diverse cultures and backgrounds, I am struck by the immense role that mothers play in the lives of their children and the role of children in the lives of their mothers. The sacrifice and grace with which women move within their families, workplaces and communities is remarkable, and this is what this book encapsulates in a raw and unfiltered manner.

What I love most is that each story concludes with a Letter to the Next Generation and a series of questions that invite reflection.

Thank you Mel, for gathering these stories and for putting them into a collection that reflects, as you say ‘our shared human story’. It was a privilege to sit with you and share my story and an honour to have it included in this collection.