Tag: literary history

Oodgeroo Noonuccal (born Katherine Walker) – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

~ valerie gritsch ~ 1 Comment

Note: This essay contains names and images of people who have died. Photo via QUT.edu.au Oodgeroo Noonuccal (1920 – 1993) was an Australian poet, Aboriginal rights activist, political activist, and educator whose birth name was Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska (Kath). She was a proud Noonuccal woman from Minjerribah (which is also known as North Stradbroke … Continue reading Oodgeroo Noonuccal (born Katherine Walker) – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784) – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

~ valerie gritsch ~ 1 Comment

Faced with adversity beyond what many of us could even imagine, Phyllis Wheatley showed the triumph of the human spirit, the desire to find goodness and hope in all circumstances. For this reason, I find her story inspiring and well worth writing about (though I cannot pretend to do justice to her account). Phyllis Wheatley … Continue reading Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784) – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

Martha Gellhorn – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

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Martha Gellhorn was arguably the greatest female war correspondent who ever lived. I first learned about her through the HBO biopic “Hemingway & Gellhorn,” [1] which was based on her short-lived affair-turned-eventual-marriage to every English department’s favorite male chauvinist pig. As soon as the movie ended, though, I caught myself desperately Googling for more information … Continue reading Martha Gellhorn – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

Annemarie Schwarzenbach: Tragic and Transcendent – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

~ valerie gritsch ~ 1 Comment

I first learned of Annemarie Schwarzenbach from a NY Times article a friend of mine shared on Facebook titled “Beautiful Tomboys of the 1930’s.” The photos of Annemarie were striking and intriguing. I instantly wanted to know more about her. Then I did as many do after reading an article, I saved it and added … Continue reading Annemarie Schwarzenbach: Tragic and Transcendent – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002) – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

~ valerie gritsch ~ 1 Comment

Most people who have heard of 'Pippi Longstocking' - a red-haired, freckled, fiercely independent and anti-authoritarian girl - might also be familiar with the name of her creator: the children's book author Astrid Lindgren. As long as I can remember I thought of Astrid Lindgren as a kind and gentle looking, elderly lady. I never … Continue reading Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002) – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

Agatha Christie – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land

~ valerie gritsch ~ 1 Comment

“Once I went professionally to an archaeological expedition -- and I learnt something there.  In the course of an excavation, when something comes out of the ground, everything is cleared away very carefully all around it. You take away the loose earth, and you scrape here and there with a knife until finally the object … Continue reading Agatha Christie – Tales from Wo-Fan’s Land