Irma Simberg Turtle

Irma grew up in Newton, Mass, graduating from Smith College in 1967 with a major in practical art. In 1974, Irma moved to New York City pursuing a career in both advertising and publishing. This work sent her to Brazil from 1981-84, running a small advertising agency for an international company.

A trip to southern Algeria for the ancient rock art of Africa and to meet the Tuareg nomads of the Sahara desert in 1985 changed her life. Turtle Tours birthed an adventure travel company that brought attention to the plight and tremendous need across Niger, Mali, and Ethiopia. From 1997 to 2013 Turtle Tours bloomed into the humanitarian foundation known as TurtleWill, tirelessly providing aid for education, healthcare, and economic development."Through my 28 years of work in Africa, I have left my own legacy, building schools, digging wells, healing over 100,000 people through mobile clinics and bringing a very important sense of independence and self respect to women, by way of working together in co-operatives. Unfortunately, health reasons prevented me from continuing my work in Mali, Niger and Ethiopia; work that has been my passion, heart and soul for 28 years. This legacy also includes my book NOMADS I HAVE KNOWN AND LOVED and my Magic Violets sculptures, a testament to the dignity, generosity and courage of tribal peoples. I have lived an extra ordinary life for which I am grateful. I feel complete, joyous and very ready to go. I also feel very sad to be leaving all of you. Thank you."Irma lived her life with mindfulness in her favorite quote by Mahatma Gandhi “Be the change you want to see.” We share in the sadness about her passing and remain in awe of her tremendous spirit, humor, strength and love. Irma's books and art: NOMADS I HAVE KNOWN AND LOVED, by Irma Turtle, www.Amazon.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/1NzqVPl), is a masterful collection of stories and photos that celebrate these special indigenous groups of Africa who have retained their cultures and traditions, against all odds. Through them Irma learned to speak with her eyes, listen with her heart, and give with her spirit in the common space of being human. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU BRING, by Irma Turtle, www.Amazon.com (http://amzn.to/1Ts3vfl) a book of drawings about a world of magnificent Universal Love. They depict the world as I want it to be and know it can be... I feel that if I can draw this love, I can make it happen.Irma Turtle’s Drawings of Universal Love, Folk Art of the Heart at www.irmaturtleart.com If you wish to continue support of the work with Malian Tuaregs, please contact Linda Simon of FACES, “Foundation Advancing Cultural and Economic Survival” at FACES http://faces-ngo.org or telephone 954 295 5116 If you wish to support Barry Hoffner of Caravan to Class in his educational work with our Malian Tuareg friends, please contact him at www.caravantoclass.org or telephone 415 497 0747 If you wish to continue support of the work in Niger via Bess Palmisciano of RAIN for the Sahel and the Sahara, please contact her at RAIN for the Sahel and the Sahara http://rain4sahara.org or telephone 603 371 0676 www.turtlewill.org honors TurtleWill’s African legacy

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