Proclamation honoring the children’s book Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers and its co- author Richmond resident Uma Mishra-Newbery and
Proclaiming it a City-wide Reading Book
WHEREAS, reading is an essential life skill, both for personal edification and practical application; and
WHEREAS, research shows that unless children read in the summer, they lose much of what they have learned during the previous school year; and
WHEREAS, for years the City of Richmond, along with Richmond Neighborhood Councils, Richmond foundations, Richmond non-profits, and West Contra Costa Unified School District have been committed to make sure that all children in our city are reading at grade level or higher; and
WHEREAS, reading the same book can ignite conversations about reading and literary discussions within families and families reading aloud with children at home is considered the single most important element for success at school; and WHEREAS, in 2010, Richmond proclaimed the wonderful and inspiring book Richmond Tales:
Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle as the first City-wide Reading Book, promoting it widely among our community and schools; and
WHEREAS, it is time that Richmond proclaims an additional City-wide Reading Book to keep this great tradition going; and
WHEREAS, there is a truly moving children’s book called Loujan Dreams of Sunflowers recently published in 2022; and
WHEREAS, this children’s book is a fictional story about a young girl who dreams of “flying” but she lives in a place where girls are not allowed to fly; and WHEREAS, this uplifting and lyrical story is inspired by real-life human rights activist Loujain AlHathloul, who led the effort to change the laws in Saudi Arabia that made it illegal for women to drive cars (suffering political imprisonment and torture because of her advocacy work); and WHEREAS, the co-authors of this book are Lina AlHathloul (Loujain AlHathloul’s youngest sister) & Richmond resident Uma Mishra-Newbery with beautiful illustrations by Rebecca Green; and
WHEREAS, Uma Mishra-Newbery is a global social justice and women’s rights leader, former Executive Director of Women’s March Global, the initiator and facilitator for the Racial Equity Index, and an organizational strategy and racial equity consultant; and
WHEREAS, young (and adult) readers will be thrilled and galvanized by the fictional Loujain’s quest to fulfill her dream of flying – thereby helping to make the world fairer and more just; and WHEREAS, the Richmond Human Rights Human Relations Commission passed a resolution supporting this proclamation to honor this amazing children’s book and its inspiring message; and
WHEREAS, we are living in times when the rights of women (and the future of girls) is at risk, due to threats to important legislation like Roe Vs. Wade.
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that I, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, together with the entire City Council, proclaim Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers as a Richmond City-wide Reading Book.
Be it Further Resolved that the City of Richmond continues to support reading for everyone, and will consider reinstituting our annual Richmond Literacy Fair where Citywide books like Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers are highlighted and promoted!
Gayle McLaughlin
Gayle McLaughlin
Councilmember
May 24, 2022