First look

"I am almost one hundred years old now. With the passage of years I have developed a hard-won peace and a deep sense of gratitude for the great gifts that have been bestowed on me in this life. I now want nothing more than to share my experiences as evidence that no matter how bleak the moment we are living through, we can overcome. We will overcome. But we may need the help of another person who believes in our vision as strongly as we do. I have come to appreciate that in medicine and in life, our greatest human need is for the hand that reaches out to touch another; the hand that closes around another’s and pulls that person forward in a supportive embrace."

Ellamae Simmons, M.D.

From the introduction to Overcome: My Life in Pursuit of A Dream

Last night I received first proofs of the book. The truth is I am wracked with insecurities about it, about whether I have done this woman's extraordinary life justice, and there are small things I'd like to fiddle with (like, should the cover have had a gloss finish instead of a matte one). But we must go forth in order to have printed books in time for a book party we're planning to hold in Oakland with the inimitable Dr. Simmons as the guest of honor. Her 98th birthday on March 26 is coming up fast. I'm really looking forward to seeing her again. I hope she will be pleased by the outcome of our joint self-publishing endeavor.