“Well-behaved women seldom make history.” – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Before the #MeToo movement, there was the 1970s—a time of change, rebellion, and young women fighting for their place in the world. Shadows of Olive Trees follows three girls—Tessa, Athena, and Jenny—on their journey to love, friendship, and self-discovery. Breaking free from traditional expectations isn’t easy; they face pressure from parents, the church, and school. But as they step into college and embrace new freedoms, they soon realise that independence can be both empowering and dangerous.
A powerful and thought-provoking novel, Shadows of Olive Trees captures the struggles, strength, and spirit of a generation redefining what it means to be a woman.
Shadows of Olive Trees – A Story of Friendship, Freedom, and Fighting for Equality
The 1970s were a time of revolution and change, but for Tessa, Athena, and Jenny, breaking free from tradition isn’t as easy as it seems. Parents, the church, and school all have strict ideas about what a girl should be—but these three friends are determined to forge their own paths.
From the thrill of first love to the challenges of independence, university offers a new world of possibilities. But with new freedoms come new dangers, and the choices they make will shape their futures in ways they never expected.
Before the #MeToo movement, Shadows of Olive Trees captured the fight for gender equality, the search for identity, and the power of female friendship in a world still learning how to let women be free.
Why Read This Book?
With its rich storytelling and unforgettable characters, Shadows of Olive Trees is a timeless and thought-provoking novel about what it truly means to be free.
Susanne Gervay is an award-winning Australian author, celebrated for her books that tackle real-life challenges with honesty, depth, and courage. As a passionate advocate for children’s literature and social issues, she has worked extensively in anti-bullying initiatives, literacy programs, and youth empowerment.
Her I Am Jack series has been embraced by schools, families, and readers worldwide, addressing bullying, family, resilience, and growing up. The series has not only become an essential resource for anti-bullying education but has also been adapted into a successful stage production, touring Australia and beyond.
In Shadows of Olive Trees, Susanne explores feminism, gender equality, and the struggle for independence in the 1970s, before the #MeToo movement. Following the lives of three young women as they navigate love, ambition, and societal expectations, the novel captures the fight for women’s rights and the power of friendship in a world that isn’t ready to let them be free.
Through her writing, Susanne continues to inspire young people to stand up for themselves, challenge outdated norms, and carve their own paths with strength and determination.
Emma Watson the brilliant Hermine in the Harry Potter movies is the United Nations role of Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Women’s HeForShe campaign where men and women join together for gender equality. Register for equality.
He4She is a solidarity movement that brings women and men together to fight against gender inequalities faced by women and girls globally.
Women Unite in a snapshot
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.
Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day is one of the most important days of the year to:
Room to Read – Empowering Girls Through Education
Writer Ambassadors for Room to Read include renowned authors Melina Marchetta, Markus Zusak, Tristin Bancks, Belinda Murrell, Kate Forsyth … and Deborah Abela and Susanne Gervay having fun raising awareness of Room to Read.
Nearly 100 million adolescent girls around the world are not in school. This is a crisis and we know the single best approach to improving the status of women is through education. Yet, girls are disadvantaged when it comes to getting an education. Cultural bias, gender discrimination and safety concerns discourage girls from learning, and these pressures become even more pronounced when girls reach secondary school.
Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program was founded with the belief that educated women can change the world. Educated women are healthier, earn more income for their families, and are greater contributors to their community and country.
Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program helps girls stay in school longer, progress towards completion of secondary school, and acquire the skills and agency they need to make informed choices about their lives and realize their potential.
Orion Publishing UK 2020. ISBN 9781474615686
Inspired by Robert Macfarlane, curated by Jennie Orchard
‘This story, like so many stories, begins with a gift. The gift, like so many gifts, was a book…’ So begins the essay by Robert Macfarlane that inspired this collection. In this cornucopia of an anthology, you will find essays by some of the world’s most beloved novelists, nonfiction writers, essayists and poets.
Published to coincide with the 20th anniversary of global literacy non-profit, Room to Read, The Gifts of Reading forms inspiring, unforgettable, irresistible proof of the power and necessity of books and readin
who believe that everyone is born free and equal.
I will take action against; Gender Bias, Discrimination
and Violence to bring the benefits of equality to us all.
“The only book I’ve read that truly captures the second wave of feminism through the eyes of a Greek girl. A powerful and important novel that transcends culture, making it a must-read feminist story.”
“Set in 1970s Sydney, Shadows of Olive Trees beautifully explores the clash between tradition and women’s liberation. Reminiscent of Looking for Alibrandi, Gervay crafts a compelling story of love, friendship, and independence.”
“Gervay masterfully brings the 1970s to life, skillfully portraying the struggles of first, second, and third-generation migrants. The novel is a poignant, coming-of-age story that explores freedom, identity, and gender roles with depth and authenticity.”
