Deb Ellis provided a truly inspirational message to Rotarians this morning – a message of HOPE in a world where peace and humanitarian successes lead to new road blocks. “Sometimes we need to pretend to believe” that change will come, in order to make change happen. She likened her efforts to the work of Rotary in the world.

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In the photo,  Norfolk Sunrise President Gail Bouw presents "The Gift of Sight" to Deb Ellis, thanking her for her message.

 

Deb Ellis is the internationally acclaimed author of more than twenty books for children.  A peace activist, humanitarian, and philanthropist, Deb has won many national and international awards for her books, including the Governor General’s Award, the Ruth Schwartz Award, the Vicky Metcalf Award, the American Library Association’s Notable List and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. In 2010, she received The Ontario Library Association President’s Award for Exceptional Achievement.

Heavily involved with Women for Women in Afghanistan, Deb has helped build women’s centers, schools, and libraries, giving children education and finding work for women. She brings hope and opportunity to oppressed children and women.

In 2006, Deb was named to the Order of Ontario, and in 2013 was awarded a sapphire-level Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise.

Deb’s acclaimed books include the Breadwinner trilogy; The Heaven Shop; I Am a Taxi; Lunch With Lenin; No Safe Place; Children of War: Voices of Iraqi Refugees; Our Stories, Our Songs: African Children Talk About AIDS; and We Want You to Know: Kids Talk About Bullying.

For more details about Deb’s books, her humanitarian work and her background, link to:  

http://www.papertigers.org/interviews/archived_interviews/dellis_2.html

 
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