Hear an extraordinary story

Monroe — In 1920, ten-year-old Sano Halo survived the massacre and exodus of the Pontic Greeks and endured a death march across Turkey. In 1925, she was sold into marriage, and in 1934 became a U.S. citizen. On Wednesday, Oct. 19, she will tell her story at Monroe Free Library in collaboration with her daughter, Thea Halo. Thea accompanied Sano on a pilgrimage to Turkey 70 years after the family’s forced exile, and wrote the biographical “Not Even My Name” in 2001. Sano, who moved to Monroe in 1976, received honorary Greek citizenship as a hundredth-birthday gift in 2009. The New York Times called Sano’s tale “A story of personal strength and the great triumph of mere survival.” Washington Post Book World wrote that “it is impossible to read the story of this woman’s life without marveling at the strength of her spirit.” Registration for the event is free, and is open now by calling the library at 783-4411. The library also is hosting a discussion of “Not Even My Name,” moderated by Keith Walters, on Thursday, Nov. 3. Copies of the book are available now.