A Mere Phantom

 

Books shape destinies; they make fools knowledgeable.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we celebrate a remarkable author, a woman who dares to speak when others hide in fear.

She spoke out against racial oppression in Monroeville, Alabama, winning over sceptics and critics, gaining many enemies and thousands of admirers. We’re talking about Harper Lee, the American author of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ who won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize. Although she never published another novel, she received numerous awards and honorary degrees for her impactful message.

In an interview, Lee’s close friend, Rev. Dr Thomas Lane Butts, told a British newspaper that Lee explained why she never wrote again: “Two reasons: one, I wouldn’t face the pressure and publicity from To Kill a Mockingbird again, no matter the pay. Second, I have said what I wanted to say and won’t repeat it.”

Life is fleeting, but some people’s legacies endure long after they’re gone. To all courageous women worldwide, we salute you!

Happy International Women’s Day!