LOCK HAVEN — Local author Donna Kshir spoke to a sizable crowd at the Annie Halenbake Ross Library, showcasing her most recent book “You Are Enough.”
The book focuses on local women as they go through personal adversity and offer their own words of encouragement.
On Nov. 29, Ross Library representative Lou Bernard opened the evening, followed by Maureen Ruhl who entertained the crowd with her larger-than-life personality before introducing North Bend author and publisher Donna M. Kshir.
Kshir spoke briefly, offering a few inspiring words on how the project came to fruition.
Her most memorable words of the night were, ”a lot of people have been congratulating me on my book. I would be lying to you and I would be lying to myself if I said this was my book. This is our book.”
She then moved her arm towards the six women sitting at the head table and her lifelong friend Lee Cougardawn Roberts, joining the crowd via video telephony, from Crestview, Fla.
Ruhl once again took the floor, introducing the women one by one and giving them the opportunity to share their stories.
Layla Anthony spoke of society’s interpretation of being a plus-size woman and how that made her feel.
Cynthia Probst offered an emotional story of being bullied throughout her childhood and how that stole her self-esteem and confidence.
Brittany Nelen spoke about she and her husband Chad’s fertility journey and their desire to be parents.
Michele Whitney spoke emotionally about caring for her ill father and how she was treated unfairly by the healthcare system as a caregiver.
Photographer Cynthia Harkinson then shared what it was like to work with each woman.
Denise Maris was the last to speak of the evening. She spoke about how women don’t always want their problems solved, sometimes all they need is a few kind words. Each woman captived the audience.
Kshir said her highlight of the night was speaking with each guest in attendance.
“I could not believe how many people approached me and thanked me for doing this book. Each had personally experienced or had a loved one that experienced some form of adversity in their life that made these women’s stories so relatable,” she said. “To hear their stories and see them cry, made me cry but it also made me see just how important this book is, how many people were touched by it and why the need was so great.”
The book is sold exclusively on Amazon, hitting #38 on Amazon’s bestseller list for Best Photo Essay Books on Nov. 9.
“You Are Enough” was created, and published by Kshir and Roberts, and both women appeared in the book. The duo has been featured in over 50 publications, landing on the bestsellers list multiple times. In addition, the pair are child rights activists petitioning to open the Pennsylvania central registry.
Katrina Catlin and Laurie Ann Smith were also featured in the book but absent from the event.
The book focuses on local women as they go through personal adversity and offer their own words of encouragement.
On Nov. 29, Ross Library representative Lou Bernard opened the evening, followed by Maureen Ruhl who entertained the crowd with her larger-than-life personality before introducing North Bend author and publisher Donna M. Kshir.
Kshir spoke briefly, offering a few inspiring words on how the project came to fruition.
Her most memorable words of the night were, ”a lot of people have been congratulating me on my book. I would be lying to you and I would be lying to myself if I said this was my book. This is our book.”
She then moved her arm towards the six women sitting at the head table and her lifelong friend Lee Cougardawn Roberts, joining the crowd via video telephony, from Crestview, Fla.
Ruhl once again took the floor, introducing the women one by one and giving them the opportunity to share their stories.
Layla Anthony spoke of society’s interpretation of being a plus-size woman and how that made her feel.
Cynthia Probst offered an emotional story of being bullied throughout her childhood and how that stole her self-esteem and confidence.
Brittany Nelen spoke about she and her husband Chad’s fertility journey and their desire to be parents.
Michele Whitney spoke emotionally about caring for her ill father and how she was treated unfairly by the healthcare system as a caregiver.
Photographer Cynthia Harkinson then shared what it was like to work with each woman.
Denise Maris was the last to speak of the evening. She spoke about how women don’t always want their problems solved, sometimes all they need is a few kind words. Each woman captived the audience.
Kshir said her highlight of the night was speaking with each guest in attendance.
“I could not believe how many people approached me and thanked me for doing this book. Each had personally experienced or had a loved one that experienced some form of adversity in their life that made these women’s stories so relatable,” she said. “To hear their stories and see them cry, made me cry but it also made me see just how important this book is, how many people were touched by it and why the need was so great.”
The book is sold exclusively on Amazon, hitting #38 on Amazon’s bestseller list for Best Photo Essay Books on Nov. 9.
“You Are Enough” was created, and published by Kshir and Roberts, and both women appeared in the book. The duo has been featured in over 50 publications, landing on the bestsellers list multiple times. In addition, the pair are child rights activists petitioning to open the Pennsylvania central registry.
Katrina Catlin and Laurie Ann Smith were also featured in the book but absent from the event.