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Book Review“The Women Who Raised Me”Authored byVictoria RowellReviewed by Natalia Roldan HartNatalia Roldan HartUpon opening thehard-back book,so neatly boundwith a glossy cover,and beautifulvintage pictures of women,I noticed Victoria Rowell’sautograph. I thought to myself,how nice to be reading asigned novel.I didn’t realizethe profoundmeaningof thatsignatureuntil I hadfinished thenovel and discoveredtheodds at whichVictoria sotriumphantlysucceeded.Her story is about survivingthe system of foster care,Research StudyResearchers at The Johns Hopkins University, School of of Medicine, Departmentof Neurology, Cognitive Neurology/Neuropsychology group group are are recruitingchildren for a study to gain a better understanding of of learning, memory,language and cognition.Specifically we we are are seeking children who: who:•Are between 5 and 17 17 years old•Have no peripheral blindness or or deafness•Are in stable health•Have a responsible caregiver who who will will accompany child child to to research site site in inFell’s Point•Have no no neurological, language, or or behavior behavior disorders disordersOur research site is located in in Fell’s Point, Baltimore, MD. MD. Qualifiedparticipants will be compensated for their time. Please call 443-287-1701to learn more!Principle Investigator:Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.about overcominghardship,andabout theinfluentialwomen in herlife that havehelped shapeher into thewoman that she is today.A poetically writtenmemoir, Rowell begins eachchapter by dedicating it toher surrogate mothers, herclose friends, her inspirationalmentors, sisters, andcaretakers. She captures theessence of her experience notonly through her own liferevelations, but also throughthe family histories of thosesurrounding her. Born as award of the state of Maine,and the child of a whitemother and black father,Rowell facesrejectionand racism.She facesthe personalstruggle ofhaving anunknown father,and anever changingdestinationshe cancall home.Rowell states,“Travelingbetween differentworldsas I did on adaily basis,I becamevery skilledat adapting.This is anessential tool for any fosterchild, not merely to fit in,but to do so with frequency,sometimes at a moment’snotice.” However despitethese difficult circumstances,Agatha, Rowell’s fostermother, encourages her touse her natural talent fordance and helps her to enrollin ballet school-a key experiencefor Rowell. “Yet it wasalso important to have myown ground to stand on, myown sense of self, a sense ofwhere my home really existed.Dancing gave that to me.”Eventually, VictoriaRowell becomes the famousactress we all know today,starring in day time dramatelevision shows, soap operasand making appearances inmovies. Her novel is truly atestimony that no matter ourlife circumstances, with thegentle nurturing of others,the right guidance, and thebelief in yourself, one canovercome all odds.28 Focus on Women Magazine