Anna May Wong

Declaring our intent up front - wonder | wader | world believe nothing trumps Chinese operatic drama in its colorful outstanding opulence and its sheer epic scale - in our opinion. 

Photo: Nick Knight/Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Trunk Archive

Consumers will soon see a new face peering up at them from the United States quarter: Anna May Wong, the glamorous Chinese American movie star.

Anna May Wong - in her own words

When the U.S. Mint begins shipping the new coins on Monday, Wong will become the first Asian American to appear on the country’s currency.

peek a boo!

Halloween is creeping in on us with autumn chill reminding us to make hay as winter is coming. Samhain is a celebration that acknowledges and deepens the occasion. 

Yuko Shimizu, harpy - DC comic art

As the veil thins, our bonds with our ancestors call for care and renewal.  We gather to gain strength in our life stories by honoring and respecting all our relations.

our girls' day

2022 marks the tenth anniversary of the creation of the International Day of the Girl Child (IDG). This year the theme is “Our Time Is Now — Our Rights, Our Future.” 

Now more than ever, we must renew our commitment to work together so that girls enjoy and exercise their rights and can play a full and equal part in their communities and societies. Investing in girls is investing in our common future." ~ UN Secretary-General António Guterres 

Art by Karen Hallion

COVID-19 pandemic and multiple manmade and natural disasters in countries across the world have created repeated challenges for young women and girls to learn, earn and connect in a free, independent and safe environment. 

Situations have accentuated the importance of education and technology as crucial support for young women and girls to access essential services and information, communicate safely, connect with friends and relatives as key aspects for autonomy and future prospects. 

This is a key priority of the Generation Equality Action Coalition for Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality. The Coalition is bringing together governments, tech companies, the UN System, civil society organizations and young people for a more equal and diverse digital transformation, including by preventing and eliminating online gender-based violence.

Day of the Girl message from UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell

The leadership and participation of young women and girls are at the heart of all these efforts. On International Girls in ICT Day, let us work together to prioritize girls’ access to technology, and to ensure meaningful connectivity in a safe and empowering environment.

It is time for us all to stand accountable - with and for girls - fully invested in a future that believes in their agency, leadership and potential. 

Candy Gourlay & her uplifting stories

This week on wonder | wander | world our pick of the week is Candy Gourlay - London based Filipino author of fiction for children and young adults. 

the author

Candy Gourlay was born in the Philippines, grew up under a dictatorship and met her husband during a revolution. Growing up, she wondered why books only featured pink-skinned children who lived in worlds that didn't resemble her tropical home in Manila.

at the 6th Filipino American International Book Festival, SFO

It took her years to learn that Filipino stories too, belong in the pages of books. Her novel Bone Talk was recently shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Costa Prize. She lives in London with her family, where she wages war on the snails in her garden.

Her multi-awarded books have brought joy to many readers, young and older.