Florida Author, Dr. Margaret Mitchell Armand recently presented to her books to outgoing Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes and his wife Lady Foulkes at Government House.
The book presentations included “Finding Erzili, a book of poetry while the other“Healing in the Homeland: Haitian Vodou Tradition” examines the socio-cultural and economic oppression stemming from the local and international derived politics and religious economic oppression.
Dr. Armand’s book is a “study of conflict analysis and conflict resolution and peace building from a paradigm of decolonization, while concentrating the narratives on stories of indigenous elites educated in the western tradition”.
During the meeting, Sir Arthur congratulated the author for her extensive community services, educational participation at all levels and activism through political involvement.
He found very beautiful the Vèvès designs throughout the pages that represent the many spiritual elements found in Haiti’s Haitian Vodou indigenous tradition. Sir Arthur read the 1782 document of African slaves’ master petitioning for emancipation to “Affranchi” (a sub-class of limited freedom) and commented, “It is important for Haitian children to know the history of their ancestors so they can be rooted in their identity.”
When the author asked Sir Arthur about himself, he shared that his mother was from Cap Haitian, the town of Haitian King Henry Christophe, who had built the most important monument, “La Citadelle La Ferriere” in the Caribbean to protect against further invasion from colonial influence.
Dr. Armand received her doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University, and also earned her M.S. in Mental Health Counseling. She earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Spanish and French from the University of Texas. Amongst her other qualifications, Dr. Armand is a licensed mental health counselor, National Board Certified Mental Health Counselor and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator.
She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Broward County Cultural Council as a Member at Large.
Dr. Margaret Armand is a psychotherapist, family mediator, and lecturer and conflict resolution provider.
