The amazing adventures of peggy bartels, a washington secretary and the first female king of otuam, ghana. The charming reallife fairy tale of an american secretary who discovers she has been chosen king of an impoverished fishing village on the west coast of africa. Eleanor herman and king peggy of ghana will discuss their new book king peggy. Welcome to the true story of the embassy secretary who became king.
Peggielene bartels was born in ghana in 1953 and moved to washington, d. For 30 years peggy bartels was a secretary in the u. King peggy is in otuam and just had five corrupt elders thrown in jail for stealing land. Upon arrival, king peggywho left ghana three decades earlier and has since become an american citizenfound an uphill battle and vowed to tackle the issues plaguing her community. Aug 12, 2014 hlaaslc has put together a book club which will alternate with our regular meetings. Eleanor herman debuts her biography of king peggy at the. American peggielene bartels is also king peggy for her village in ghana and was a guest speaker at tuscarora high school thursday morning. Jan 01, 2012 king peggy is an amazing story about how a set of events in her bloodline moves her from out of her comfort zone in the united states and hurls her into the position of king. Nana amuahafenyi vi born peggielene bartels in 1953, known informally as king peggy, is the reigning chief of the town of tantum or otuam, in the mfantsiman municipal district, ghana. An american citizen since 1997, bartels did have ties to ghana beyond her work at the embassy. Alice gyamfi, miss ghana usa, sung the national anthems of both countries at halftime. An american secretary, her royal destiny, and the inspiring story of how she changed an african village at. Female king fights male chauvinism king peggy in paperback is on. King peggy by by peggielene bartels, eleanor herman.
King peggy king of otuam, ghana coauthor, king peggy. An american secretary, her royal destiny, and the inspiring story of how she changed an african village by peggielene bartels my rating. Among bartels territorial possessions as chief are a 1,000acre 4. Does anyone know if there are discussion questions for a book group. King peggy by peggielene bartels, eleanor herman kirkus. During her monthlong fall 2012 trip to her kingdom of otuam, the washington d. You are cordially invited to the world book launch of king peggy. They have supported me at my national press club book event and my. Coalfired power plant, not solution to ghanas energy crisis nana afenyi vi.
World cup viewing draws international crowd to club. The national press club experienced a unique treat on feb. She describes herself as a commuter king and chronicles straddling two cultures and lives in a new book, king peggy. An american secretary, her royal destiny, and the inspiring story of how she changed an african village african culture african american history american women we are the world people of the world women in history black history black king and queen black royalty. A cinderella story with a twist in her new book, peggielene bartels describes going from secretary at the u. The story of king peggy, a britisheducated secretary who became the leader of a village in ghana, is being made into a hollywood film after the actor will smith bought the rights to a book. Since her retirement from the ghanaian embassy in washington, d. King peggy has the sweetness and quirkiness of the no. King peggy, book club selection hlaa, salt lake city chapter.
Welcome to our one maryland one book book discussion. In 2008, she was chosen to be king of otuam, a ghanaian village of 7,000 souls on the west coast of africa. Reviews an astonishing and wonderful book about a real life mma ramotswe. King peggy on her way to the funeral of her predecessor, 2010. King peggy chronicles the astonishing journey of an american secretary who suddenly finds herself king to a town of 7,000 souls on ghanas. Three and a half years ago, a cousin called saying that.
Though it sounds the stuff of fairytale and legend, king peggy is the fascinating true story of her courageous acceptance of this difficult role and her unyielding resolve to help the people of otuam. Jun 17, 2014 king peggy, who spends one month annually in the village and is in contact by phone daily, was the subject of a recent book by club member eleanor herman. Upon arriving for her crowning ceremony in beautiful otuam, she discovers the dire reality. An american secretary, her royal destiny, and the inspiring story of how she changed an african village. In her new book, peggielene bartels describes going from secretary at the u. September 8ive finished the book, and really enjoyed it. King peggy is a lovely book about an improbable, yet true tale of a middleaged americanized woman who becomes the king of a village in ghana. Born in ghana and a naturalized citizen of the united states since 1997, she moved to the united states in. Aside from what king peggy did to transform her town, reading about life in ghana was fascinating. Rubbing the front of the envelope shed just taken from her mailbox, she couldnt miss the. The book details her reign there and the many decisions she must make for the betterment of her people as they still believe in witchcraft, spells, and signs.
Review of king peggy by peggielene bartels, eleanor herman. An american secretary, her royal destiny and the inspiring story of how she changed an african village by peggilene bartels and eleanor herman. Book discussions king peggy by peggielene bartels and eleanor herman. We can all go to the local library and choose from among thousands of books to. King peggy cobb county public library system overdrive. She accepted the lifetime appointment, and now divides her time between otuam and washington, d. An american secretary, her royal destiny, and how she changed an african village on wednesday, february 22, 2012 at 6. A devout christian, she lives in silver spring, md, still works at the embassy, and spends several weeks each year in ghana. American woman reigns in ghanaian village an american secretary living in maryland got a phone call at 4 a. An astonishing and wonderful book about a real life. Jan 31, 20 for 30 years peggy bartels was a secretary in the u. What an uplifting book about the village of otuam and its king, peggy bartels. King peggy chronicles the astonishing journey of an american secretary who suddenly finds herself king to a town of 7,000 souls on ghana s central coast, half a world away. King peggy shares her incredible journey with tuscarora.
Hollywood pays homage to reign of ghanas king peggy. Sep 29, 2012 this is an african bits production, find more videos at african bits has a conversation with a female king in ghana. One of the reasons why i refute the notion that this is a fairy tale type story is very simple. King peggy chronicles the astonishing journey of american secretary, peggielene bartels, who suddenly finds herself king to a town of 7,000 people on ghana s central coast, half a world away. Eleanor herman is the author of three books of womens history. King peggy chronicles the astonishing journey of an american secretary who suddenly finds herself king to a town of 7,000 souls on ghanas central coast, half a world away. My lifes journey has been a very unusual one from secretary to king and i. Peggielene bartels audio books, best sellers, author bio.
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