The passionate work of a woman known to many Takataapui simply as "Mother" will be marked on Maori Television tonight. Karen Ritchie will feature in an episode of the documentary series I Know a Sheila Like That, which screens at 8pm. It highlights Maori women who are changing stereotypes and are deciding their own place in the world. Ritchie is the face of the Cartier Trust, a charity which looks after people who die of HIV/AIDS related illness. "Sometimes I wonder if this is meant to be my journey... to be supportive of people who are facing terminal illnesses," she says in the episode. "Karen is one of those rare people who have spent half of their lives fighting for other people, those who have been ostracised by family and who have no voice," press for the episode reads. "This is a powerful story of one heterosexual woman's acceptance into the Takataapui community. To this community she is simply known as Mother." Producer Lara Northcroft says the series is about empowering women to reach for their goal no matter how big or unconventional it might seem. "It's about empowering Maori women to have the courage to go for their dreams. Our emphasis is on careers outside the realm of what women would do, in particular what Maori women would do."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 12th July 2011 - 1:49pm