Catherine Gigante-Brown

Catherine Gigante-Brown

Bio

Catherine Gigante-Brown is a freelance writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Her works have appeared in Time Out New York, Essence and Seventeen. She co-wrote two biographies for Prometheus Books and her short stories appear in fiction anthologies. Catherine’s first novel, The El, is available from Volossal Publishing. You can learn more about her on her website.

Catherine Gigante-Brown Articles

Paranoia Is Killing Our Kids' Independence

My husband and I agreed: raising a child with an independent spirit who made decisions for himself was a good thing.

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The thought that a complete stranger would crochet something to make me feel beautiful — whole, like a woman again — moved me to tears.

A Stranger Knit Me A New Boob

It sounded too good to be true: comfortable, attractive bra inserts for breast cancer survivors like me. I got on the computer, checked out their website, and immediately put in for one.

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It gets better than this.

The Important Lessons I Learned From Chemo

You realize pretty soon that everything other than cancer — i.e. missing a train, being late to your dentist appointment — is no biggie compared to the suck factor of chemo.

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David with his first Mohawk

In Praise Of The Mohawk

"Sometimes David wore his hair spiked like a cockscomb. Others, he wore it feathery like a baby chick. He wore his Mohawk to summer camp (exchanging encouraging head chucks with another older camper who sported one, too) and even to Vacation Bible School—no judgment there."

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the beach!

Confession: Bio-Friendly Hotels are Hell!

I know it’s not a politically correct one, but I’ve got a confession to make: earth-friendly hotels stink. There, I said it.

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Children need to be on their own — when it’s safe and the time is right. Image: Thinkstock.

The Joy Of Letting Go: Why You Should Raise Independent Kids

When David was about 12, he told me that he wanted to take the train to school alone. My gut reaction was, “No way in hell!” I mean, we live in a safe neighborhood and all, but David has ADHD and was easily distracted. What if he missed his stop? What if someone messed with him?

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Summer Rental, Summer Love

You learn a lot about people when you live in their home. The Taylors seemed to lead a joyless, Spartan existence.

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Atop Joppenbergh Mountain in New York, channeling Rosie the Riveter's fierceness

25 Ways To Conquer Chemo

After I got over the initial devastation, I pulled myself up by my big-girl panties and got on with it. Chemo was no picnic—but it was do-able.

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Thinkstock

Who Was Delia Green?

The heartbreaking saga of a 14-year-old Black prostitute who was murdered in cold blood by her (maybe) pimp on Christmas Eve in 1900 Savannah.

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