Pride of Family: Four Generations of American Women of Color

by Carole Ione

“From the moment I read the words [my great-grandmother] Frances Anne Rollin wrote in Boston on January 1, 1868—“The year renews its birth today with all its hopes and sorrows”—she became my beacon, the foremother who would finally share with me our collective past . . . —From the Preface

Originally published to rave reviews, Pride of Family is the dazzling true story of an upper middle-class African American clan—and four generations of extraordinary women. Carole Ione, rebel daughter from a long line of rebel daughters, traces her heritage from her mother, Leighla, a sad and lovely journalist, actress, and composer; to glamorous grandmother Be-Be, the popular restaurateur and former showgirl; to upright great-aunt Sistonie, one of Washington’s first black female physicians; and, finally, to great-grandmother Frances Anne Rollin, the indomitable feminist-abolitionist. It is through her great-grandmother’s brilliant diaries that Ione finds enlightenment—a deep connection to the women she cherishes and the proud, glorious history they share.

Genres: Memoir, African American, History, Nonfiction, Autobiography

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Carole Ione Lewis, also known as Ione, is an author, playwright and poet whose works include Pride of Family; Four Generations of American Women of Color (New York: Harlem Moon Classics / Broadway Books, 2004); Nile Night; Remembered Texts from the Deep, (New York: Deep Listening Publications, 2008), and Listening in Dreams: This is a Dream! (New York: Ministry of Maåt Publications 2007). She is playwright and director of Njinga the Queen King; The Return of a Warrior and the dance opera Io and Her and the Trouble with Him. She is currently writing a sequel to her memoir, Pride of Family. Ione is Artistic Director of Deep Listening Institute, Ltd. and Director of the Ministry of Maåt, Inc.

(from http://www.blackpast.org/contributor/...)

Reviews

[Mills College Library]

305.48896 I642 2004

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that you didn't want to end but couldn't put down. Try as I did to read this book slowly and take in all that the author had to offer I finished reading this book today. I feel Blessed to have entered this family if only by reading about it's history. Like all of life it has been a journey. And while I had a safer less treating position of being on the other side of the book my physical position did not spare me the emotional struggle of Carol and her family. Life is connected. Like J California Cooper's book Family, Pride of the Family reminds me that the strength of family is always with us, if we allow ourselves to remember that we are not isolated individuals but a collective culture. thank you for sharing your story Ms. Ione. I hold it not only in my mind but also in my heart.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I liked the idea of this book better than the content itself. The authors own story line lends itself to the absurd which I found made it harder to engage in the book as a whole, however interesting the matriarchs of her family were.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Interesting in its own way, but I would not recommend it.

[Robynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.