My life is about ups and downs, great joys and great losses.

I have been a woman for 46 years and I only recently realized I can't change it and I like it.

Every time I asked a question, that magnificent teacher, instead of giving the answer, showed me how to find it. She taught me to organise my thoughts, to do research, to read and listen, to seek alternatives, to resolve old problems with new solutions, to argue logically. Above all, she taught me not to believe anything blindly, to doubt, and to question even what seemed irrefutably true, such as man's superiority over woman, or one race or social class over another.

It is absurd to imagine that any child will be able to earn a living, let alone contribute to resolving our world's complex problems, without knowing how to read and write. My foundation supports the National Writing Project so that teachers can be more effective in their efforts to improve literacy for all students.

She intended to swallow the world and he lived crushed by reality.

My books are written from personal experience, from memories, and from stories that come to me from all places.

Everyone in his place and a place for everyone.