Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} I was named John Ann Washington at birth because my mother was sure she was right in her prediction that I would be a boy. Even after I was born, and it was clear I was a girl, she named me after my father anyway. At least she decided to change my middle name from Louis to Ann. I was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina. I came to New York City in 1968 to attend New York University School of the Arts. I enjoyed a wonderful and fruitful acting career - Broadway and Broadway show tours - during the 70's and 80's. During most of the 90's, I was busy having, and eventually, recovering from severe mental illness. Wambui Bahati is my new legal name taken on during the "reinvention of myself." In Swahili Wambui means "singer of songs," Bahati means, "my fortune is good." Today, I'm an inspirational and motivational speaker and entertainer - and, fiber artist. I live in New York City and am the proud mother of two fabulous adult daughters.  

Some of my awards include a Woman of Achievement Award from the Greensboro Commission on the Status of Women, a Belle Ringer Image Award from Bennett College, the Lionel Aldridge Award (a national honor recognizing individuals who provide extraordinary service and courage on behalf of people with mental illnesses), the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, North Carolina's President's Award, and a proclamation from the mayor of the city of Toledo, Ohio.