“What do you think your grandmother would think of your
choice of our dance as a hobby or career?”
Bonny “Fotia” Whiteford (Chicago, Illinois)
My grandmother, at first, would’ve been outraged. Yet she was a strong, liberated woman ahead of
her time, and after seeing the dance presented as the beautiful dance it is and how it empowered
me, she would’ve been all for it! She always believed women should have something that they own.
Aziza Habib (Alberta, Canada)
I think that my Nana would be tickled pink to know that dancing keeps me happy ... after all, she
was the one who provided me with my first Halloween costumes and jewelry to encourage me to
dress up! She also prided herself on being able to do a high kick up to her head while in her 70s and
80s ... She had been quite the dancer herself !
Stephanie Kinney (Roswell, NM)
My grandmother, Alta Faye, was a great supporter. She really enjoyed going to haflas and the
Middle Eastern food being served. She really felt the beauty of the music and loved the costumes
and dancing. If she hadn’t felt constrained