| Description |
228 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
|
regular print |
| Summary |
Desert Flower is the compelling autobiography of supermodel Waris Dirie, born into a traditional Somali family of nomads who believed in such archaic customs as female genital mutilation and arranged marriages between prepubescent girls and elderly men, for a dowry of a few goats and camels. The young Waris survived exploitation, attempted rape, and casual violence as she tenaciously fought her way as far as London, where she took a job as a maid for a distant uncle. There, as she struggled to learn to read and write, her striking beauty caught the eye of a photographer, and soon she had launched a modeling career that would take her all the way to New York City and international celebrity. Today, as a special ambassador appointed by the United Nations, she travels the world speaking out against female genital mutilation, promoting the cause of women's rights, and educating people about the war-torn, drought-parched region of Africa she fled - but still loves deeply |
| Notes |
Originally published: London: Virago, 1999 |
| Subject |
Dirie, Waris, author
|
|
Dirie, Waris.
|
|
Diplomats -- United States -- Biography.
|
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Models (Persons) -- Somalia -- Biography.
|
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Models (Persons) -- United States -- Biography.
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Women diplomats -- United States -- Biography.
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Women -- Political activity -- Somalia -- Biography.
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Women social reformers -- Somalia -- Biography.
|
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Women's rights -- Somalia.
|
| Genre/Form |
Biographies.
|
| Author |
Miller, Cathleen.
|
| LC no. |
98017480 |
| ISBN |
0688158234 |
|
