From Ash to Flame: Women Rising

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, terrorists, 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 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:

• Fran Drescher, who started Cancer Schmancer Foundation after 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.

Readers will learn how 26 women who lived through horrific circumstances not only survived, but also rose. Their stories provided the inspiration and lessons of life that provided the catalyst to change my life of hopelessness and low self-esteem
to making me realize what the real secret of life is – to be of service.

Beyond the Flame: I am Rising

A sequel to the above-mentioned book which contains meditations, art and writing exercises, and a synopsis of each woman’s accomplishments.