May 24, 2022
City Council
DATE: May 24, 2022
TO: Mayor Butt and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Subject:
Proclamation Honoring the Children’s Book Loujain
Dreams of Sunflowers and its Co-Author Richmond
Resident Uma Mishra-Newbery
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact related to this item
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
In 2010, Richmond proclaimed the first City-wide
Reading Book and it is time to keep this great tradition going by honoring another great children’s book.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Human Rights Human Relations
Commission and their liaison, Councilmember Gayle
McLaughlin, heard from Richmond resident Uma Mishra-
Newbery about the children’s book Loujain Dreams of
Sunflowers that she co-authored. The Commission is
encouraging the Richmond City Council to proclaim this
children’s book as a City-wide Reading Book for our city.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
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 - Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
(510-620-6636).
AGENDA
REPORT
May 24, 2022
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Human Rights Human Relations (HRHR) Commission received a presentation from Richmond resident Uma Mishra-Newbery, who co-authored a wonderful children’s book called Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers. This delightful and meaningful children’s book was 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. As a result of her advocacy work, Loujain AlHathloul was imprisoned for nearly three (3) years by the Saudi government as well as being subjected to torture. She has been released conditionally as of February 2021.
As the liaison to the HRHR Commission, I, Councilmember McLaughlin, also had the opportunity to hear from Uma Misha-Newbery. The Commission and I decided it was important to honor this book and its co-author Richmond resident Uma Misha-Newbery by proclaiming it a City-wide Reading Book in the City of Richmond.
This book builds on the tradition we started in 2010 proclaiming City-wide Reading Books. It is also stated in this proclamation that we encourage the City of Richmond to reinstitute our annual Literacy Fair to encourage reading by all and to promote wonderful, inspiring books like Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation
Attachment 2 – Resolution by the Human Rights Human Relations Commission in support of the proclamation