We are excited that Sapphire, the author of Push (the novel that inspired the Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated movie Precious) will be providing a keynote session at the NC Governor’s Conference for Women. We are thrilled to hear her thoughts behind the story.

Precious  is a disturbing, yet compelling narrative of a young, inner city girl seemingly sentenced to a life of poverty, abuse and despair. While it is about an African-American in Harlem, it could have been about a girl of any background, set nearly anywhere in America. Unfortunately, poverty and abuse happens all over our country and our world.

As depressing as Precious’ circumstances are, one thing is clear: that the hope of education is what compels her to keep going. Above all, she wants to learn. She wants a better life for her babies and for herself. And so, despite the odds (and her mother’s admonition that her future would be better served at the welfare office), Precious finds hope nestled in the unlikely spot of an urban alternative school. There, a caring teacher helps overcome her illiteracy, and in doing so, Precious finds her voice.

Have you seen the movie Precious or read Sapphire’s novel Push? If so, what message did either one of these send to you? Even if you haven’t seen the movie or read the book, what are your thoughts on breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse?