Syvila Weatherford makes her debut as a novel writer; a third career for her. In her first career she worked for 25 years as a systems/computer engineer and technology consultant, and for a second career she worked ten years in patent law. >Her Awards and recognitions include receiving the "Entrepreneur of the Year" Award from the Los Angeles Urban Bankers in 1985 in recognition of publishing the WORKS magazine, CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Patent Law in 2002. Among leadership positions she has held include Vice President of USC Black Alumni, 1980- 1983, President of the Los Angeles Black Professional Engineers, 1980-1982, and Chairperson of the National Council of Black Professional Engineers, 1982-1989. For a period, she was active as an educational counselor/recruiter for M.I.T., her undergraduate alma mater, and she is most proud of having developed a low-income housing project as part of the Watts/Willowbrook Community Re-Development Project 1991- 1994. Her writing puts front and center the frailties and sensitivities of the human experience, and is vividly expressed in Blessings from the Four Winds. When asked about the book, she characterizes the story as similar to the movie Dances with Wolves because of its tender and respectful patronage of the Native American culture, and the original Lonesome Dove mini-series because it brings you along on the rugged trail of a cattle drive, witnessing drovers toiling sun-up to sun-down, followed by the interplay of personalities around the campfire after a long day's work. Her objective with this book is to tell a story inspired by the life of her great-grand father, shedding light on what he experienced to elevate himself from the servant class, his courtships, and how he coped in Black skin during the late 1800's. Also relatable are the life experiences of many of the story's characters, which she hopes fuel positive insight and entertainment for all readers, regardless of ethnicity or economic status.
