Silent Warriors

"Silent Warriors honours the roles and power of all women through the stories of Micronesian women. People unfamiliar with Micronesia's diverse cultures and rich history tend to misunderstand Micronesian women's notable silence as weakness or lack of power. The region is traditionally matrilineal and matriarchal. Micronesian women, by nature and nurture, are major sources of implicit power. As the main caretakers of children, they play the biggest role in passing down language, culture and sense of identity. Clan lineage and kinship are traced primarily through women. All resources including land, water rights, and sacred knowledge are passed down through matriarchs. All of this means that before ever arriving at the decision-making table or discussing important issues, the men consult the women beforehand. This poem serves as a reminder that the mere presence of a woman is powerful and speaks volumes."--Back cover.