THE HOPE IN LEAVING:

Barbara Williams engages in conversation with comedienne Mary Walsh on the occasion of Ms. Williams' new, highly praised memoir of her impoverished childhood, The Hope in Leaving. Ms. Williams will also sing a few songs.

Read Stacy May Fowles' review of The Hope in Leaving here.

Barbara Williams is a Canadian actress who has starred in many films, including Thief of Hearts and City of Hope. She won a Gemini for Best Actress in the telepic Mother Trucker. Her most recent film roles were in White House Down and Angel's Crest. She had recurring roles in ABC's Flash Forward and Rookie Blue. She was with Tamahnous, the resident company at the Vancouver East Cultural Center, for 5 years. Among her thirty-plus stage roles she portrayed Amelia Earhart in the musical Amelia at Canada's National Arts Center, Joan Baez at L.A.s Met Theatre, and Lady MacBeth in La Jolla under Tony award winner Des McAnuff's direction.

As a musician she has performed in the U.S. and Canada, often in concerts devoted to Peace, Worker's Rights and the Environment.

The Hope In Leaving is her first book.