This book, mostly a diary, is a compilation of documents including the amazing diary of Beatrice Millman from the summer of 1931.
While BeaBea (her affectionate nickname) spoke of her teenage diary to her grandchildren over the years, it was rediscovered weeks before her death, which was 16 days prior to her 95th birthday.
This book is the true story of her youthful adventures in Europe in the summer of 1931 as she recorded it daily in her diary, followed by images and documents that represent a few of the memorable events and highlights of Beatrice's rewarding life.
Beatrice Millman was born in Montreal on October 14th, 1914 in the early days of the Great War. She graduated top of her class from high school at age sixteen in 1931, and, as a reward, her wealthy bachelor Uncle Louis took her on a promised summer tour of Europe.
Beatrice's diary is an inspiring travelogue that offers a fresh perspective of Europe between the world wars from the eyes of a bright, energetic and sophisticated young woman.
They traveled first class by luxury liner to France and then from Paris by chauffeured limousine, staying at the very best hotels. They traveled at a dizzying pace on roads that were often unpaved and in poor condition, visiting the great cities and sites of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and England.
Beatrice met every day with energy and enthusiasm. She vividly describes the sights, sounds and her favourite activities of eating, dancing and meeting new people (including the famous French movie star Maurice Chevalier).
Beatrice's love of life emanates from the pages of her diary. Her commentary about the Great War and her related feelings hint at her later life's priorities and accomplishments. This diary is genuine, unedited and written from the heart.
Beatrice Millman went on to live a life of accomplishment. She received the Order of Canada and The Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal amongst her many medals.
She founded, co-founded and was on the Boards of many organizations. She was instrumental behind the scenes in working with Canadian John Humphrey in the early drafting of The Declaration of Human Rights for the United Nations and was a long time Director of The Canadian Human Rights Foundation. She was President of The United Nations Association of Canada, President and a Director of the Canadian Institute for International Affairs and helped set up The Foundation For Training In Third World Countries.
With original letters and postcards, this book is much more than an exciting travelogue. It's a true story, an adventure, and a biography all in one.
It will bring you back in time and place to an era that is long past. You will be elated by the diary and saddened when it ends at the end of summer. You will be amazed at her life's accomplishments for she was a pioneer for women long before women's rights came of age. She just did it, quietly and successfully.
