Missionaries put human dignity first, challenge social injustice
SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- When Fred Williams arrived in India
in 1921 as part of the Methodist missionary, he focused on helping the
"untouchable" low-caste people with their seemingly earthly struggles:
sanitation, health care, food. On the plains of Bengal, Williams' efforts to
educate and encourage self-government among the Hindus preceded his efforts to
lead them to Christianity.
His son Norman tells the story of Fred and Irene Williams in "Gandhi's
American Ally: How an Educational Missionary Joined the Mahatma's Struggle
Against Untouchability" (published by iUniverse). The Williams family
eventually earned the attention from and respect of Mohandas Gandhi, while
they relinquished their western lifestyle and embraced the Indian customs,
foods and habits of their new neighbors in their land - and their desire for
independence. This true story of an unusual family history demonstrates how
humanitarian work becomes the best Christian example, and how pacifist
influences of great leaders in human rights like Gandhi and the Williams
carries through to new generations, with Norman becoming a conscientious
objector to the draft, working in a Quaker camp, and challenging the
government's exploitation of the environment through strip-mining. Crusaders
of reform and activists in human rights fill a special role in society and
this story inspires others to help others who struggle for decency and
democracy.
About the Author
Norman R. Williams was born in Bengal, British India, and after completing
high school in 1940 he returned to the U.S. where he was a conscientious
objector to World War II and the Korean War. He was a state official in West
Virginia and called for the abolition of coal strip mines. In the U.S.
Congress he assisted on two committees preparing federal legislation to
restore strip mines, and after President Carter signed the legislation, he
assisted in investigating violations of the law in the southern Appalachians.
He earned a bachelor's degree from American University and a master's in
public administration. He and his wife of 66 years, Winifred, have five
children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. This is his first
book.
"Gandhi's American Ally"
Available from: http://www.iUniverse.com, http://www.bn.com, and
http://www.amazon.com
iUniverse offers a variety of publishing services to help individuals publish,
market and sell fiction, poetry and nonfiction books. The company utilizes
print-on-demand technology, and is one of the largest self-publishing
companies in the U.S. iUniverse is based in Bloomington, Indiana.
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 1-800-AUTHORS
Fax: 812-355-4078
Email: promotions@iuniverse.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit
http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE iUniverse
Promotional Services Department of iUniverse, +1-800-AUTHORS, Fax:
+1-812-355-4078, promotions@iuniverse.com
