Women’s Collective

Myrna Seidman, 1936–2024

In her own words

Stories from my Mother

Family stories, as Myrna kept them

Her mother’s memories of Austria, her father’s journey as a refugee, and her own seven years in Somalia. 9 stories so far, in two chapters.

Myrna’s 90th birthday would have been October 18, 2026.

Stories or essays? Stories are the family histories Myrna recorded, from her parents’ memories to her years in Somalia; essays are the personal pieces she wrote about her own life. Read her essays →

  1. Chapter oneWhere We Came From2 stories · Born 1905 and 1906
  2. Chapter twoWorking and Living in Somalia7 stories · 1984–1991
Chapter one

Where We Came From

Born 1905 and 1906

My mother’s stories, as she told them to a granddaughter on tape and to me growing up, and my father’s, from our family interviews.

Myrna’s grandparents with her mother’s family. The women were still in Eastern Europe and the grandfather in America; the photos were merged long ago into one portrait from two continents.Myrna’s grandparents with her mother’s family. The women were still in Eastern Europe and the grandfather in America; the photos were merged long ago into one portrait from two continents.
  1. My mother, in her own words1906

    My Mother’s Stories

    I was born in Yvonekowitz? Austria on March 8, 1906. My father’s name was Jacob Seidman and he was born in Stafchan, Austria. My mother’s name was Gittel Weiselberger and she too was born…

    5 min readRead
  2. My father, Hyman Seidman1905

    Hyman Seidman’s Story

    To the best of my knowledge I was born in February 1905. I am not sure about the exact date of birth but that is the date that was given in 1917 when my…

    39 min readRead
Chapter two

Working and Living in Somalia

1984–1991

My years in Mogadishu, written in parts.

Myrna (center, in blue) with colleagues from the Lagos market-based family planning project, Lagos, Nigeria.Myrna (center, in blue) with colleagues from the Lagos market-based family planning project, Lagos, Nigeria.
  1. Before MogadishuIntro

    Introduction

    I had to live to be over 70 to hear my younger son, now in his 40s, say, “Ma, you’re an inspiration to so many women.” At his request, I had written brief sketches…

    2 min readRead
  2. MogadishuI

    Part 1: Working and Living in Somalia: 1984-1991

    Western Union finally called while I was attending a meeting in California. I had been waiting for that call for several weeks and I received a message that told me to call them back…

    9 min readRead
  3. MogadishuII

    Part 2: Hotels and Downtown Mogadishu

    My first stay at the Aruba Hotel was also my last. Soon after arriving I learned that USAID maintained housing for consultants and although space was not always available, it was clearly more comfortable…

    7 min readRead
  4. MogadishuIII

    Part 3: The USAID Guest House

    After about a week at the Aruba Hotel (during my first trip) I was informed that space was available at the Guest House and that if I wanted to change a USAID car would…

    10 min readRead
  5. MogadishuIV

    Part 4: The Infrastructure for Development

    Establishing an assistance program overseas is a like creating a little America wherever America works. It involves arranging for housing and housing maintenance for staff and contractors, assisting them with transportation, ensuring their personal…

    5 min readRead
  6. MogadishuV

    Part 5: The Nature of the Work

    The work I did in Somalia can be divided into two periods. During the first period, I was a consultant to the mission, working on the five year Somalia Family Health Project which had…

    7 min readRead
  7. MogadishuVI

    Part 6: Reflections

    The project was brought to an abrupt end by the civil war and the withdrawal of USAID and contractor staff. The project was about 4 years into what was designed as a 10 year…

    8 min readRead

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Also see Myrna’s essays.