What is the story about?
Mrs. Doctor is a story about a child believing in herself and her determination to be somebody. Even though she was told many times as a child that she would not amount to anything, she persevered and overcame all obstacles that stood in her way. As an adult, though, in a loveless marriage, she finds the strength to stay with her husband for the sake of her children.
In the end, she takes matters into her own hands and seeks her own independence.
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What inspired you to write Mrs. Doctor?
I was inspired by the children that I have been working with for the past twelve years. I looked at my life, where I was and where I am now and decided that there is a story here. I borrowed from my own personal experiences to write this book and I did it for the children. The book is actually dedicated to the children and some of the proceeds are going towards an educational fund that I have set up at the day care.
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Why did you choose the title?
I am married to a doctor and my friends often referred to me as Mrs. Doctor. When I decided to do this book, which is loosely based on my own experiences, I decided to use that title.
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What was life like in Ghana?
Ghanaians are generally peaceful, loving people and when I was growing up, there wasn’t much crime. I could walk the streets late at night and not have to worry that someone would come rob me or something. The country at the time was experiencing a lot of economic difficulties; essential commodities were always in short supply but still people learned how to cope with it. There was also definitely a strong sense of community in Ghana. You could always call on your neighbor to help out in times of need. Ghanaian society has always believed that it takes a village to raise a child because people always look out for each other and make sure that they’re all doing what they’re supposed to do.
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What was the pivotal reason for you moving from Ghana to the U.S.A?
I have to say I followed my heart to the USA. Although I had dreams to someday visit this paradise on earth, I am not sure if I would have made it had it not been for my husband who at the time had been accepted to do post-graduate studies in medicine. I had great expectations at the time. I was going to live a life of luxury. After all, my husband was a doctor. It did not take long after arriving in the U.S. before I realized that I was not going to live that life. For years I lived a life that my husband prescribed for me. It took a long time before I realized that I held my destiny in my own hands and that I could live the life I want if I did something about it and that meant going back to school and extending my education.
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What was it like coming from Ghana to the USA?
The first thing I noticed that was different from Ghana is that there were no shortages of anything in the U.S. I remember my first trip to a supermarket, I wanted to grab everything in sight because I was afraid that it might not be there the next day. Also, in Ghana, I lived in a house with all of my extended family, but in America, I was all alone. It definitely took some getting used to.
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Is the abuse of girls and women the same in Ghana as in the USA?
When I was growing up in Ghana, the abuse of young girls was rampant but unfortunately, the abusers were never held accountable. The difference in the abuse of young girls in Ghana as opposed to the U.S. is that the child is often blamed for the abuse. I remember at age 11 when an older man tried to molest me; I was so afraid to talk about it thinking that I would be blamed for it. To blame it on the young girl was a common practice. Young girls who were often impregnated had to quit school and many young lives were ruined as a result of this abuse. Women were systematically abused and many women of my generation have emotional scars. I believe it is still going on. The men have the upper hand in our society. At least in the U.S., people are held accountable for such crimes.
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What is your next book about?
My next book is about an African Princess who was abducted during the slave trade brought to America and sold into slavery. History tells us that long before the Portuguese strolled along the shores of West Africa, Long before the slave trade, there were empires, Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses. Some of the slaves brought to the new world were royals, nobles, skilled artisans and craftsman and women who had everything. Most were unsuspectingly lured into ships and sailed away with. Their story has never been told.
Princess Ama Asantemaa and the Golden Kingdom is a fictional story of that era. The story has historical significance and importance to black Americans. It is educational, informative and entertaining.
The story is going to be released in a series. The first edition begins in Africa.
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How did you turn your marriage around?
Although I was miserable, I chose to stay in my marriage for the sake of my children but with time, my husband and I both realized that we cared deeply for each other and there was no need to make each other miserable. We made a vow to maintain a healthy and happy relationship and so far we have kept that vow.
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What made you open a day care center?
I did not have much when I was growing up. Although I had a father, he was never there for me. He had no confidence in me and thought I was not going to amount to anything. He told me there was no point in even going to school because I would never make anything of myself. I was practically raised by my mother who didn’t really have much. So I can relate to the children & families I’m working with. I know how important it is for children to have a positive attitude about themselves. When I went into the educational field, it was an easy decision. I was going to work with the little ones. I believe that all children have the potential to succeed in life if they believe in themselves and I wanted to be there for these children to be their role model and for them to know that anything is possible if they set their minds to it. The children I work with are mostly from low income families or have single parents who work so hard to put food on the table. We are like one big family. It pleases me everyday when the children are able to go to our kitchen and take an apple or cookie when leaving our center. It’s their second home.
I am always dreaming of hitting the jackpot and coming home with the gold to share it with them. That is why I dedicated Mrs. Doctor to the children as well as to my own children. Some of the proceeds from Mrs. Doctor will go towards our scholarship fund. My dream is to award a scholarship to every single child that attends my day care. I have awarded close to 5,000 dollars in scholarship funds to deserving children at Little Angels for the past eight years. I want to be able to do more.
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What other programs do you have for the children at your day care?
I believe in extra curricular activities for all the children. My non-profit organization, African American Cultural Enrichment Program provides cultural enrichment programs to all the children enrolled at the center and their families. My goal is to be able to enlighten their minds and to encourage them to strive for a brighter future. The program consists of music, African dance, arts and crafts, cooking and computers. As the president of the African American Cultural Enrichment Program, I want to someday set up a multi-cultural arts center, where families come and experience different cultures.
I feel blessed to have this opportunity to work with children. My philosophy in life has always been that the sun may not be shining on you today but it will definitely shine on you tomorrow. I did not have much when I was growing up, just like most families that I work with but I want them to know the importance of education and to those families, that road to success begins at Little Angels.
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What Advice do you give other African American Writers?
Learn from the great writers. Be willing to adapt and keep on writing. No matter how long it takes, success will eventually be yours.
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How have you changed from that young girl in Ghana?
I was young, naïve, and trusting as a young girl in Ghana. My whole perception about life changed when I arrived in the United States. In Ghana, I used to fantasize about the American dream. In America, I would eventually turn my fantasy into a reality, though I had to make a lot of sacrifices to achieve it.
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Where Can People Get The Book?
You can get it here on our order page or at Amazon.com or BarnesandNobles.com
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Will There Be Any Book Signing During 2007 for Mrs. Doctor?
Yes!
I will be at the Hue Man Book store in Harlem on March 3, 2007 at 4 p.m. The address is 2319 Frederick Douglas Bld. New York, NY 10027.
Join our mailing list to be kept up to date on our next book signing date and location.
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What would you like people to get out of reading Mrs. Doctor?
I want people to know that we hold the key to our own success; that we can all achieve success if we believe in ourselves.
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