HAGÅTÑA (Press Release) — New Century Forum, Inc. announces the release of the 40th anniversary edition of Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder’s book, “Daughters of the Island: CHamoru Women Organizers of Guåhan and Other Writings.”
The book will be launched on March 24, 2024 at the Academy of Our Lady of Guam Fine Arts Auditorium, Hagåtña from 2 p.m. to 4 pm. The occasion recognizes and honors the legacy of CHamoru women organizers during Mes CHamoru and Women’s Month, significant commemorative heritage celebrations in Guåhan.
Dr. Souder was recognized as the first CHamoru woman to publish a book by the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce for her pioneer study presented as her dissertation in 1984 and later published as the Micronesian Area Research Center’s Monograph Series No. 1. The Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities conferred Dr. Souder with the Governor’s Award for the Arts. This award of distinction in recognition of her contribution in the literary arts was presented by Governor Joseph F. Ada on February 5, 1989.
Editor Desiree Taimanglo Ventura writes: “Through meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Laura M. Torres Souder paints a vivid portrait of the extraordinary CHamoru women who call Guåhan home. ‘Daughters of the Island: CHamoru Women Organizers of Guåhan and Other Writings’ unveils a tapestry of CHamoru female strength, wisdom, and ingenuity that is as inspiring as it is enlightening.
This edition, lovingly revisited and enhanced for a new generation of CHamorus, presents an opportunity to delve deeper into the forgotten stories and untold narratives of these remarkable women and reminds a new generation of readers that there is still work to be done.
Whether you are an academic, a historian, a storyteller, or simply a passionate learner seeking a profound understanding of the inspiring women who forged a path on this island, Daughters is an essential addition to your library. Dive into the pages of this transformative reprint and discover the untold stories that have remained hidden for far too long.”
In the book’s foreword, Dr. Tina Taitano DeLisle notes that, “ ‘Daughters’ is an important contribution to many fields — Pacific Island studies, women’s history, Micronesian studies, and CHamoru studies, and the emerging scholarship on Indigenous feminisms, including CHamoru and Micronesian feminisms.”
