A woman dressed in traditional African attire, standing and smiling in front of a large crowd of people under a tent. The woman is wearing a patterned dress and headwrap, layers of jewelry, and has her hands over her chest. There are plastic bottles, tissues, and a box on the table in front of her.

Photos

Shadows of the Ivory: Photos

Black and white photo of a woman with curly, shoulder-length hair, wearing earrings and a white top with a wide neckline, looking to her right.

Black and white portrait of a woman with braided hair, wearing earrings and a patterned top.

Maryline as a newborn in Côte d'Ivoire

Maryline as a baby in Côte d'Ivoire

Maryline as a baby at her baptism in France, with her French grandma Margot

Maryline in France with her biological dad

Maryline with her Papa in France in her grandma's house not willing to smile

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Below are two articles published on Mother’s Day in 2005 by The Charlotte Observer, narrating my experience during my first trip back to Ivory Coast. I left Ivory Coast when I was 1 year old and returned for the first time when I was 38 years old.

Part 1

Part 2