By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

'she was'

Red Deer author hopes book will be agent for positive change

May 2, 2021 | 3:00 PM

Sabrina Samuel, a local artist and mental health advocate, has just released a new book of poetry with 50 per cent of proceeds supporting the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC).

The book is called She Was, and in inspired by Samuel’s own journey of healing, each poem telling the story of incredible women she’s met along the way.

“The work illustrates our dynamic power, but also our humanity,” said Samuel. “Women are multi-dimensional. My hope for the book is that it will be an agent for positive change, celebration, collaboration and discussion. I’m deeply grateful for the help I received from CASASC, so I wanted to partner with them.”

The launch also coincides with Sexual Violence Awareness Month, and is buoyed by the book’s selection by Lloydminster and Vermilion for Equity‘s monthly book club.

Samuel goes on to say that art is always a response to something.

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“When you use metaphor to address pain, you can reach people differently,” she said. “I understand fully that racialized women are the most vulnerable to abuse, harassment and assault. I don’t want to be a statistic. This work has shown me I’m owning more of my story each day by drawing strength from my feminine influences.”

Samuel will be a guest on CASASC’s Coffee Chat series, May 6 at 10:30 a.m. on Instagram. Readers can participate in conversations this month about Sexual Violence Awareness Month by using the hashtag #SVAM.

Copies of She Was are $20 and are available now at Cheeky Couture’s Boutique in Gasoline Alley, Housewarmings in downtown Red Deer, at the CASASC main office or by emailing surrenderliving@gmail.com.

More information is at surrenderliving.com.