Valérie Bah

Now our tour guide starts the bus engine, and we leave the parking lot for the next destination. Reader, I am at the edge of my seat; I am about to meet my first glacier! A far bigger event than the losing of my virginity, for yes, Sólheimajökull sounds like the salient name of a someone to love.

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” — Psalms 34:7 I come from a long line of doomed women. My great-grandmother worked as a cook for a corrupt politician. She was murdered by thugs at the service of a political opponent. One night, at dinner time, as she came out of the kitchen to serve him a bowl of soup, the goons sneaked into the dining room and assassinated them both. A two for one.

Documenting the lives of departed feminists, and sharing their stories, honours their memories and inspires future generations. Every year, too many women’s rights activists are murdered or disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Some activists live long and full lives, and die of natural causes. Others, exhausted by often thankless work, die of preventable illnesses.