Woman of Excellence

About the Book

A young native woman of St. Lucia, Anselma John-Ayala became a US citizen in 2006. As a child she was called precocious and sensitive. This sensitivity transformed into poetry writing at the age of twelve. She often shared her poetry with her four siblings and her parents. Her husband, daughter, and family of origin encouraged her to copyright and publish a book of poems. Hesitantly, she agreed never believing that anyone would really enjoy her poems. In May 2009 she recited the poem Partially, previously entitled Depression at a workshop on Mental Health. Since then she has been asked numerous times for a copy of this poem. Anselma’s passion has always been working with children. For a 10 year period, while living in Reading, PA, she worked with children who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, ODD, OCD, autism, mental retardation and many other diagnoses. Her favorite is working with children diagnosed with autism. Mrs. John-Ayala’s work with special children was temporarily halted when, being injured, she had to relearn how to walk. At this point Anselma decided to put her energy into fi nally having one of her poetry books published. Currently, Anselma, her husband of 15 years Luis, her teenage daughter K’Nyel, and 3 year old son Xyz reside in St. Croix, where her husband is on a 3 year tour-of-duty.

About the Author

A young native woman of St. Lucia, Anselma John-Ayala became a US citizen in 2006. As a child she was called precocious and sensitive. This sensitivity transformed into poetry writing at the age of twelve. She often shared her poetry with her four siblings and her parents. Her husband, daughter, and family of origin encouraged her to copyright and publish a book of poems. Hesitantly, she agreed never believing that anyone would really enjoy her poems. In May 2009 she recited the poem Partially, previously entitled Depression at a workshop on Mental Health. Since then she has been asked numerous times for a copy of this poem. Anselma’s passion has always been working with children. For a 10 year period, while living in Reading, PA, she worked with children who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, ODD, OCD, autism, mental retardation and many other diagnoses. Her favorite is working with children diagnosed with autism. Mrs. John-Ayala’s work with special children was temporarily halted when, being injured, she had to relearn how to walk. At this point Anselma decided to put her energy into finally having one of her poetry books published. Currently, Anselma, her husband of 15 years Luis, her teenage daughter K’Nyel, and 3 year old son Xyz reside in St. Croix, where her husband is on a 3 year tour-of-duty.