Being the center of attention. I am not an extrovert, so having all this attention after writing the book is uncomfortable for me. I am a more behind-the-scenes kind of person. However, in my previous employment with the LDS Church, part of my duties was to do simultaneous interpretation from Spanish to English in large gatherings. I would also do side-by-side interpretations for visiting authorities from the Church to Mexico. It was terribly out of my comfort zone, but I managed to get through it. I can be an extrovert if I am put into these types of situations, but it is not natural for me.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Daisy Bratcher of Waterford.org
Daisy Bratcher currently works as a bilingual curriculum specialist for Waterford.org. She grew up primarily in the United States and also spent extensive time in Mexico, where she was born. Her desire has always been to influence children in a positive way so that they will be more empathetic and caring. Her book Violeta is, in part, her story. Violeta was first written in Spanish for authenticity and then later translated into English by Daisy as the translator for Waterford.org.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
When I was a child, I was very shy and self-conscious. I did very poorly in school because I was bullied because I was shy. To me, school was a hardship, and I dreaded going. My only dear friends and loyal companions were the books I read after school with my mom in her bedroom, both snuggled up in her bed. I loved reading because it transported me to another world. I imagined interacting with the characters and was always sad when the book ended because I wouldn’t have the chance to do that any longer.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
Two books come to mind, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I always admired how both Jo and Anne were able to make a difference and how they pursued their dreams. I dreamed of one day also becoming an author. I also remember having a great teacher (Mr. Hoffman) who would spend time trying to get me out of my shell and would also defend me when he saw kids making fun of me or tripping me before I could get to the blackboard. He was aware of my love for reading, and he made sure that I read as much as I could about people who could influence me to be more open and sure of myself. He was in constant communication with my mother, and between the two they picked books that would inspire me.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I was taking a course on human relations in Mexico City, and a woman came into the room. She wore very plain clothes and her hair, in my opinion, was untidy. She spoke in a broken Spanish; I think it was a dialect. From her appearance, I believed she must have been a maid or maybe a custodian. She looked around as if she were lost and finally found the person she was looking for. We kept on doing the exercise we were told to do and, after a while, the lady came back with the person who was leading the class and was introduced as the keynote speaker. All of the people there were astonished, to say the least. This was the same lady that had come in previously who we had thought was the maid. This was both funny and embarrassing, as we had seriously misjudged her. Appearances can be deceiving. In the book, Violeta was also misjudged. Her classmates believed her to be dumb because she was afraid to participate in class. As in the case I mentioned before, the kids were very much taken by surprise when they came into the classroom and listened to Violeta talking about the Aztecs and all they had accomplished. From then on, they saw her in a different light.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
I hope that as children read the book or parents read to them, that they will be aware of how hurtful bullying and making fun of other children (because they are different) can be. If bullying is not stopped at an early age, it carries over to adulthood and can have serious consequences both for the bully and for their victims.
I would just invite parents and caregivers to be mindful of what is going on in their children’s lives. Whatever they say and do will stick with them. Create the best environment you can; nurture and protect your children. The bully is a bully usually because there might be a lack of interest from their parents in what they are doing or feeling. Maybe there is neglect or there has been unknown abuse, or maybe they come from broken homes — there are many reasons that need to be considered. The victim usually doesn’t realize they have a voice and is afraid to use it because there could be retaliation. Parents need to be aware of this.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
Violeta arrives early at school, and the teacher asks her to give her book report before the other children start coming into the classroom. She is so into the story that she is not aware that her classmates are at their seats listening to her. When she ends the story, her classmates start clapping and startle her. Violeta is very bright; she is just too self-conscious and shy to participate in class. In this incident, she finds her voice, so to speak. Like Violeta, I found my voice in my Spanish class. My mother thought it would be beneficial for me to learn to read and write the language since I already spoke it. My classmates didn’t realize that I was a fluent Spanish speaker, and they were really surprised when I was continuously called upon to say things in Spanish. That was when I started to blossom and started trusting and knowing that I had something to contribute.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
It really all started as a project I was given at work. The subject matter of the book is something that I have sadly become quite acquainted with. I have always loved reading and felt that if I could reach only one child with my story, it would make a difference. Having the book out there, many children will have access to it, and it will hopefully inspire them to be more sensitive to other children.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
One day, one of the daughters of a co-worker was having feelings of inadequacy and didn’t want to go to school. Her mom read the book to her, and she immediately decided to go and face her fears. She was inspired by Violeta to not let anything or any person get to her.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
I believe that most of the world’s problems can be solved at home and at the hands of caring educators. As parents, we should constantly be teaching our children not only manners but also kindness, consideration, respect and empathy towards everyone, but in particular, to those who are different from us. Teachers can either break or make students. I think they have forgotten how much influence they have on our children to do good.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
I would define leadership as having the guts to roll up your sleeves and make changes that are needed. It means going the extra mile; it is following the Golden Rule of treating others as you would like to be treated.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Being the center of attention. I am not an extrovert, so having all this attention after writing the book is uncomfortable for me. I am a more behind-the-scenes kind of person. However, in my previous employment with the LDS Church, part of my duties was to do simultaneous interpretation from Spanish to English in large gatherings. I would also do side-by-side interpretations for visiting authorities from the Church to Mexico. It was terribly out of my comfort zone, but I managed to get through it. I can be an extrovert if I am put into these types of situations, but it is not natural for me.
- Revisiting painful moments. Writing this book brought back a flood of painful memories and feelings of inadequacy. Yet I felt I could be vulnerable in a safe environment. Fortunately, I have the opportunity to work in a safe environment where we are given the chance to express ourselves freely. When I was given the opportunity to write this book, I wasn’t given a specific topic, so I wrote about what was very real to me, both painful yet liberating. There is a children’s saying when they are being called names: “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I find this to be untrue; it is much easier to recover from a beating than it is to recover from insulting words. Those stick in your mind and cause you to feel unworthy, unloved and small.
- Why it was important to write this book. Children learn by the example of those close to them, but also from the books they read. Being a parent is not an easy task. You find yourself tired of listening to your own voice at the end of the day from teaching and correcting your children. However, when they grow up to be the kind-hearted, considerate and respectful beings you desired them to be, it is most rewarding and gratifying. It was my hope and desire to help both the shy kids as well as the extroverted ones to be kind to those who are not like them, as well as for this book to be a tool for parents to teach their children from another person’s experience.
- Having to confront my fear of not being good enough. It is human nature to second-guess oneself. Should I have said this in a better way? How will people react? Maybe I should have sugarcoated my words. However, I wrote from my heart and personal experience trying to take this book to the level of understanding children would be familiar with. I find that getting to know oneself and coming to terms with our shortcomings is very useful. I am who I am, no better and no worse than anyone else, just me. I have learned to like who I am without making excuses.
- How liberating it was after all. After all was said and done, it actually felt liberating. Writing can be quite therapeutic. Some of the things that happened to Violeta happened to me, and writing about them was a means of letting go after all these years. I think I have come a long way since I was a child, although that shyness is still with me a little.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite quote is from Benito Juárez, Mexico’s 26th president. He said, “Amongst individuals as well as nations the respect for the rights of others guarantees peace.” Many of the world’s problems arise from the lack of respect for each other, and this starts at a very early age. This was relevant to me because my mother used to quote this often. She taught my sister and me that while people are different in their outward appearance, they had the same needs as we did, and that no matter their present circumstances or background, they deserved to be treated with respect, consideration, and empathy. It stuck with me.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I admire and respect Oprah Winfrey. From what I know about Oprah, her life hasn’t been easy; she went through some trying times, but that didn’t stop her. She just kept at it until she became who she is now. She is kind-hearted and respectful of others and has a lot of empathy. You can see that in the interviews she has done over the years. I would probably be tongue-tied if I ever had the privilege of meeting her in person. WOW!!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Violeta is available for free, in English and Spanish, for parents and caregivers to read with their children by going to: https://www.waterford.org/Violeta/
If you would like to learn more about the book, illustrations, and the response from educators, parents, and students, you can watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF0LmfGNVd4
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
I would just invite parents and caregivers to be mindful of what is going on in their children’s lives. Whatever they say and do will stick with them. Create the best environment you can; nurture and protect your children. The bully is a bully usually because there might be a lack of interest from their parents in what they are doing or feeling. Maybe there is neglect or there has been unknown abuse, or maybe they come from broken homes — there are many reasons that need to be considered. The victim usually doesn’t realize they have a voice and is afraid to use it because there could be retaliation. Parents need to be aware of this.
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Daisy Bratcher Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.