Book launch Sunday for 40th anniversary edition of ‘Daughters of the Island’

Make your way to the Academy of Our Lady of Guam this Sunday for a special book launch for Dr. Laura Torres Souder’s 40th anniversary edition of “Daughters of the Island: CHamoru Women Organizers of Guåhan and Other Writings.”

First published in May 1992, this latest edition has quite a bit of changes– an additional 150 pages to be exact, according to Souder.

“The first and second editions are out of print,” she said. “I decided now is the time. I thought the 40th anniversary edition would be a proper launch. So I’m very excited.”

In this relaunch, Souder brings the stories of nine CHamoru women who made a significant impact on Guam to the forefront.

 

 “It’s about CHamoru women organizers. But I do have several chapters of the history of
Guam, written from the conventional perspective and an indigenous perspective. I tell the stories of women and women organizers in the 80s,” she said.

Souder describes the book as a flashback to the past that also illuminates the present.

“CHamoru women have always been strong in our culture,” she said. “CHamoru culture is a matrifocal culture so it's mother-centered. It's matrilineal so it traces lineage through the uterine line. All of that and more is in the book.”

The book launch will also honor the legacy of CHamoru women organizers during Mes CHamoru and Women’s Month.

“We will be honoring the three living case studies– Geri Gutierrez, Annie Roberto and Tina Blas are still with us. Then we will be presenting the book to daughters and/ or granddaughters of those who have passed,” she added.

The book launch will be on Palm Sunday, March 24th at Academy's Fine Arts Auditorium in Hagatña from 2-4 p.m.