"Roses en Destierra"

Rebecca was recently involved in... a book signing of all things!

How can a woman languishing in a Mexican prison be at a book signing, you surely must be asking yourself. The answer to that question begins with the sheer will and power of the personal spirit that lives within Rebecca Roth.

I use the word languishing sometimes in this blog, as it has been used in articles written about her, as a metaphor for what life in a Mexican prison surely must be like for most. In reality, Rebecca has never been one to languish anywhere. Hers is and has always been a life of accomplishment and productivity based on creativity and making the best of any situation.

So, today, although she is physically confined, her spirit is still free and she is actually achieving goals that she might not have had the time to consider in the everyday rush of a busy life.

Let me explain...

Rebecca loves to write, both professionally and for pleasure. She never really made time to write poetry until now, but it has always been a lifelong dream to be published, other than in procedural manuals for the mortgage industry. Turns out that she is quite good and becoming not only accomplished but, recognized, as well.

Additionally, Rebecca has always aspired to paint and with the time she has during this confinement, she has been painting and her paintings have been received very well. We should all be open and willing to tackle our goals with such daring.

So, she began painting and writing poems for her own enjoyment but, now she is published in a new book entitled "Roses en Destierra" and one of her paintings is on the cover of that book. The painting is, appropriately, an abstract woman holding a rose. This is a major accomplishment.

The book title translates to "Roses in Exile" and it is a 347 page compilation of poetry from over ten years of writings submitted by inmates at the women's prison where she is incarcerated. It is completely in Spanish. Rebecca's submissions have been translated from English to Spanish for the book and have received high praise for her.

She assisted book editors Maestra Luisa Burillo and Arturo Ipiens with "Rosas en destierro" Vol. 1.

Now back to the book signing...

On the Terrace, a large gathering area at the Readaptacion Femenil where Rebecca is housed, a book signing was held for Rebecca, along with 4 other current prisoners and one that had been released and returned for the event. Attendees and speakers included 15 dignitaries, including the Secretary of Public Security and the Secretary of Digress, head of the prison system in the State of Jalisco, Mexico.

At the book signing, many of the dignitaries spoke of rehabilitation and re-education and the Prison Director read her forward from the book. Rebecca and her fellow inmates that had work accepted for this publication were honored. The President of the University of Guadalajara was present to pay tribute to the book and its contributors and was done in conjunction with the release of the book. When the University of Guadalajara acknowledges a book and it's contributors and puts their stamp on a book, it is a big deal in Mexico.

This book signing preceded the release of "Roses en Destierra" and the highly anticipated Expo in Guadalajara.

The opening night for the week long Expo in Guadalajara Book Fair was November 30, 2008 and was attended by many major dignitaries.

This book fair runs all this week and features 1600 publishers and 500 authors. It is considered the most important book fair in the Spanish Language. There is only one book fair that is larger and it is held in France.