Part 1/2 - Philomena Clifford will be exploring the extraordinary life of Martha Root, one of the first Western Bahai’s during the early 1900s. Her story reads like an adventure and affirms the observation that history well written is as interesting and fascinating as fiction. Her life is so full and so rich – it cannot be contained in one session! She circled the Globe four times in her ardent desire to convey the beauty of the Baha’i Faith with its timeless message of international peace and unity. For Martha it was like a priceless gem which she spent her life sharing with Kings, Queens , Presidents; students; the general public and the many employees and passengers on board ships and trains she took around the world. Philomena’s career began as a linguist, teaching French, Spanish and English as a foreign language. Then followed a short career in the airline industry. She had a childhood interest in profound deafness and eventually undertook a BPhil Degree in Audiological Studies, leading to a career of teaching young profoundly deaf students. Here she realised the power of biographical stories to inspire, uplift and to convey confidence in the power of the human spirit. She then went on to complete a Masters Degree in Virtue and Character Education which inspired her work with students and particularly the transformative effect of story.