The world is in turmoil. People are losing or have lost faith. They need a reason to believe in their higher selves, the part of them that rises instead of crumbling under pressure of fallen economies, corrupt governments, violence against women and children, extremists, war, famine, and natural disasters. Readers will find many reasons to believe again from the incredible, courageous women interviewed for "From Ash to Flame: Women Rising" who singularly have inspired many people to transform their lives. However, collectively their stories are even more powerful. In fact, their stories transformed my life. This book will inspire and teach readers how to live with drive, integrity, joy, peace, love, courage, commitment, power, promise, freedom, honor, humanity, faith, equality, justice, vision, compassion, dedication, altruism, activism ... and FLAME. Following are some of the women who share their stories of Rising: -Fran Drescher who started Cancer Schmancer Foundation after many doctors misdiagnosed her symptoms of uterine cancer for years resulting in her hysterectomy and destroying her dream of becoming a mother. -Mariane Pearl became an international advocate for peace after Al-Qaeda terrorists kidnapped and beheaded her husband, Daniel. She then became an international advocate for peace. -Erin Brockovich, the real Erin, who Julia Roberts portrayed in the movie and won an Oscar, shares her story of living in fear and as a "loser." -Denise Brown, whose sister Nicole was brutally murdered and was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of OJ Simpson. Denise became an advocate for domestic violence victims. -Wangari Matthai, the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for starting the Greenbelt Foundation. She taught African women how to plant trees and earn money to support their families for the first time. -Ngawang Sangdrol, a young Tibetan nun who served a 21-year term in a Chinese prison for a series of peaceful protests against the occupation of her homeland and the suppression of her religion. -Mukthar Mai, a Palestinian woman who was the first to bring the men who raped her for tribal honor to trial. She became an international figure when this heinous crime became worldwide news. She has devoted her life to helping other victims of this archaic crime that allows men to injure, maim, and murder women around the world.
About the Author: Rev. Basia Christ was born in 1946 and grew up in a blue collar family on Chicago's tough West Side, exposed to poverty and street gangs. She knows how it feels to be in the minority. She learned compassion and tolerance for people who have different cultures and beliefs. Until the late 1980s, she experienced gender discrimination in the workplace which drove her to become an activist for women's rights. Basia was married and divorced twice. She moved to Aliso Viejo, California in September 2001. She has written for Today's Woman, Beach Cities Style, and Empowering Women magazines. Basia is the Editor-in-Chief and writer for Radiance magazine published by the Temple of Light, Irvine, California as well as its Executive Director. She reported on the 2009 Inauguration of President Obama for the OC Register. While attending the March 2009 CSW at the U.N., Basia was on a panel with Fran Drescher regarding women's health issues around the world. She has been a member of the National Association Against Domestic Violence, a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) for a foster child, and a member of UNIFEM. Basia was an altruistic kidney donor on November 3, 2010. She and Lata Kothari, the recipient, are doing well. She is the Executive Director of the Temple of Light in Irvine, California. She is the Editor of Amazing Women magazine published by Raven International. Her Internet radio show, Speaking from Spirit: Become Who You are Meant to Be, can be heard at noon PCT Sundays on the Amazing Women of Power Network, powered by Raven International. You can also listen to archived shows on her website, www.basiachrist.com. She is writing Breaking Adam's Rib and is available for presentations on gender equality, domestic violence, human trafficking, and living kidney donation. If you wish to contact Basia, please email basia@basiachrist.com.