Thirteen women shared their stories of COVID-19 in a booked-out book launch at Geelong Regional Library last night.
The book, 13 Wise Women, is the second edition for co-author Gail Mortimer, who released a title by the same name in 2016.
While the initial edition paid tribute to local entrepreneurs, the latest title instead celebrated the stories of Geelong women during the pandemic, Ms Mortimer explained.
“This is a new group of women,” the Leopold grandmother and South African expat said.
“An empowered woman is an unbelievable thing to behold – they just get things done.”
Ms Mortimer came up with the idea last September during an “epiphany in the shower on a Tuesday morning”.
“I heard so many stories about women doing amazing things during COVID-19, and I thought they should share their stories with others,” she said.
“I didn’t want people to feel like they were living this alone.
“The original other 12 wise women put forward other women in their lives that were doing amazing things.”
The book features journalist Davina Montgomery, actresses Chloé Hayden and Sarah Grace, web-designer Frederike Moodie, executive coach Mara McDonald and charity founder Ange Liston-McCaughley.
Former editor Tracy Morfitt, mental health expert Simone Boer, real estate director Yan Lin, volunteer and former model Sarah Hayden, ‘confidence coach’ Jen Trevorrow and Pilates instructor Linda Newman also shared their stories.
“They’re opening up about stuff they’ve never opened up about,” Ms Mortimer said.
“We have used what we know, and what we have learned about ourselves and others, to work through a time that most of us alive today have never experienced before.”
Luke Voogt
