Jennifer S. Wallace
Author, Speaker, Teacher
Now available!
Miss G and Me
Ruth Williamson, aka Miss G, grew up in Jamaica. She left at a young age, under her mother's direction, to pursue a nursing education in England. Ruth then chose her own path that led to Canada, like so many immigrants in the late 1960s. Unlike many immigrants from the Caribbean at that time, she ended up in rural Saskatchewan, working as a nurse while adjusting to the culture and climate of the Canadian prairies.
Ruth's life is one of resilience and determination. She married Ian MacLeod in Saskatoon in 1971, blending cultures in a mixed-race marriage that was unusual for its era. She built a nursing career that spanned over forty years and mentored women and children from other countries and backgrounds.
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It wasn't until the nickname, "Miss G" came up during a phone call from Jamaica that her daughter, author Jennifer Wallace, began asking more questions and unravelling the mysteries of her mother's life. Miss G and Me: A Daughter’s Memoir is a creative non-fiction book that uses anecdotes, journals, poetry, and personal essays to weave together the life of Ruth (Williamson) MacLeod - Miss G. Readers are invited on this lyrical, gentle journey to discover Ruth's path and ultimately connect with their own history.
Don Gillmor and Alexandra Shimo,
Adjudicators for the John V. Hicks Long Manuscript Award
Praise & Reviews
“Warm, gracious, and original, this memoir provides insight on a relationship between a mother and daughter, and her extended family. Moving between Saskatchewan and Jamaica, the author uses reportage, poetry, history and linear and non-linear narratives to beautifully elucidate the value of family, culture, love and education.”
“…This melding of storytelling and questioning help us all to understand better the complexity of a life, the vibrancy of blended cultures, motherhood, daughterhood, adventure, faith, and taking risks.
The author shares some of the mysteries and untold nuances inherent in the story of a mother who crossed the ocean to start a new life.”
Angela Baggett,
teacher
Appearances
Recently I was the featured speaker at a women's retreat in Manitoba and gave four talks over a three-day weekend. I have been a presenter and hosted numerous events with the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild online and in person for conferences, schools, libraries and author visits. I have facilitated writing workshops with the One Book One Province tour and through Sister Triangle, a Christian women’s magazine. I have done readings, Q &As, interviews for media, and presentations for the book tour and when my book launched. As a teacher I have mentored and supervised interns, teacher candidates and Educational Assistant interns. I have also directed choirs, plays and musicals.
I would love to speak at your event if you are looking for an educational or spiritual focus, or if you would like to have an author reading. You can contact the Saskatchewan Writer's Guild for an author reading or you can reach out directly to me through the contact page.
About Jennifer
Jennifer S. Wallace wrote a self-published non-fiction children's book: When He Opened His Eyes: Gordon’s Story about her firstborn in 2009. She writes articles and poems for Sister Triangle, an online women's magazine, and is a member of the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild. Miss G and Me: A Daughter's Memoir, is based on her relationship with her mom and won third place in the 2020 John V. Hicks Long Manuscript Award presented by the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild. Miss G and Me was chosen for One Book One Province by the Saskatchewan Library Association in 2024. Jennifer was born and raised in Saskatoon, Treaty Six Territory. She lives there with the loves of her life, John, Imogen, Isaac and their two dogs. She loves teaching kindergarten and judo, singing, painting, buying too many children’s books, reading, and dreaming about playing her guitar.