Darkness and Light: reflections of a human rights worker on her experiences in Africa

Nancy O’Rourke writes personal essays and memoir that braid lived experience with a lifelong commitment to social justice. Now based in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, Nancy trained as a sociologist and earned her PhD with a specialization in human rights. Over the course of her academic career and work with United Nations agencies, Nancy wrote extensively about the issues facing women and children, bringing rigorous research together with a deep sense of social responsibility. Shortly after taking an early retirement, Nancy turned to creative writing—an evolution that allowed her to explore the personal stories behind her overseas endeavours. Her essays quickly began attracting attention, and though she is an emerging voice in the literary world, her work has already garnered multiple awards. During the event, she will read from three essays drawn from her experiences abroad: her first journey overseas, the challenges and revelations of working internationally, and incidents that took place while living in conflict zones. Between readings, the host will engage her in conversation about storytelling, before opening the floor to questions from the audience. This event is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts through The Writers' Union of Canada.

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