Mothers Lead
“At the Very Beginning of Life, I Escaped Death Twice”
As a second girl born to a family in China in the 1980’s, my Life was mandated to be terminated, my illegal birth evidence of a crime, and my survival a statistical improbability.
To immigrate to the United States as a young Girl
To have good fortune to pursue an Education
To have opportunity for a Career in Silicon Valley
To have a voice to write my Story now
These too, are great Statistical Improbabilities
What’s wrong with this picture?
Why are basic human rights a statistical improbability simply because I was born female?
I wrote this book to spark purposeful dialogue and ignite action for positive change.
To bring light to Real Stories, to illuminate Real People Who need Us to care.
Help me hold the torch.
Use Our Collective Power to extend our good fortune for All Others.
Let’s beat the statistics.
Sincerely,
Jenny Athena Wong
MOTHERS LEAD
A Memoir | A Modern Woman | A Mission
The Journey of a Girl to Motherhood
The Power of Women to Advance Evolution
The Mission to Empower Women Who Will In Turn Elevate All
This Powerful work reflects Universal Human Ideals that I have had the good fortune and privilege to live out since immigrating to the United States as a young girl.
Especially Advocacy for Civic Engagement, Education, Children's Welfare, Healthcare, and Social Services.
MOTHERS LEAD
Showcases a spectrum of uniquely crafted writing styles and discussions on a breadth of Purposeful Subjects, interlaced with Humor and Intrigue.
Part 1 - Illustrates Human Dilemmas as narrated through events of my Life
Part 2 - Presents Proposals and Conclusions for a Just Course of Action
Prose-poetry invites introspection and paints beauty as you see it in your own mind.
If you have Compassion, you will cry. If you have Joy, you will laugh.
Contemplate this delightful, cerebral, shibumi work of fine literature.
Share what Mothers Lead means to You.
Your Support is an essential launchpad for Our Shared Journey.
CRITICAL REVIEWS
“Part memoir, part meditation, Mothers Lead is an evocative and moving prose-poem tracing Jenny Athena Wong’s life-long battle against the strictures placed on females.
Starting with her brush with an early death as a second female child born to a family in China, we hear of the difficult road that brought Jenny to America, her decision as a San Francisco high school student to join ROTC against her family’s wishes and, throughout, her fierce determination to excel on her own terms.
This book is a celebration, a paean to resolve, but also an outraged and highly personal cry against discrimination.”
~ Dan Rosenheim, KPIX (CBS) Vice President & News Director, KRON (NBC) News Director, SF Chronicle News Managing Editor
“I was enchanted by Jenny Athena Wong’s first book: “Mothers Lead”.
Jenny’s work lives in a space between poetry and prose. She’s defined a style all her own, which adds to the intimacy of this very personal memoir. It’s a work of Art. As such, everyone will take away something unique to them.
The story itself, unfolding through vignettes laced with observations and Calls to Action, crosses two Cultures and issues Challenges to both. It will be empowering to anyone who has felt excluded, threatened, or anxious. Any reader will be glad that Jenny survived the threats to her Life and challenges to her Strength to share this with us.
There’s also a lot to smile about. Jenny’s keen awareness of the world around her leads to delightful observations. She notices the tickling sensation of a grasshopper’s kicks when captured in hand. She feels the World, invites Us to feel it with her, and to join her in making it a better place!”
~ Terry Joyce, San Francisco Toastmasters President & Distinguished Toastmaster
PRECIOUS SPROUT
At the Very Beginning of Life
I Escaped Death Twice
My grandmother had three daughters
Only one son
She felt a failure to ancestral duties if a
Male heir could not be produced to
Carry the family line
After my sister was born
They risked for a second child
Late into her pregnancy
Such that it was impossible to conceal
Mom stayed hidden
We Were Betrayed
A Guard Found My Mother
“You are in Violation of the One Child Policy
I am here for Standard Operating Procedures
Extraction and Tubal Ligation”
Mom begged.
“We will be immigrating to America
We are only waiting for our turn
We will all be gone soon
I will stay hidden
I will send the child away
I promise not to have more children
PLEASE
You can report you fulfilled your duty”
Mom was always Kind and Generous to Everyone
Well-liked in the Community
The Guard was Merciful
Once born
I was smuggled away as evidence of a crime
But Mom could not bear to be without her Child
Her Daughter
She wanted me home
To Register an Illegal Life as one of
Permitted Statutory Existence
They paid a very heavy fine
Three times the average annual salary
A sum few can afford
Providentially
My parents ran a successful small business
I Was Worth It
WORTHLESS WEED
Had I been born into any other family
My probability of survival was extremely low
"One Girl is not ideal, but perhaps acceptable
A Second Girl is completely Useless!
WHAT !?!
I have to pay a heavy fine for her !?!
We don't have that kind of money
Even if we did
I wouldn't waste it on THAT"
No Mother would at the Birth of Her Child say
"It's a Girl
I don't want it
Here. Dispose of It"
Father is Executioner
Life ripped from Her bosom
She fights in vain
She has no power
She has no voice
She must obey
How do you conveniently dispose of a worthless baby girl?
Dumped in the river
Abandoned in the woods
Strangled
Murdered by the Very Hands that Gave Her Life
She Arrived in the Wrong Packaging