David Moore
It’s a memoir. It’s a love story. It’s a guide to life. These are all true of Donna Ford Attallah’s book, “Learning to Give and Share: A Life of Paying It Forward.” It is a gift to the Chapman Family and beyond. Through her thoughtful words, Donna offers inspiration with an added reminder of the value of being kind to others.
From the start, Donna reflects on lessons she learned from her mother, and the inspiring lessons she learned throughout her life that have long been at the core of her heart and soul. Growing up, Donna was deeply influenced by her mother’s unwavering kindness and generosity. These early lessons instilled in her a lifelong commitment to helping others. When blessed with a positive outcome, Donna pays it forward for others, a commitment that she and her late husband, Fahmy Attallah, made together in how they chose to live their lives. When they met in 1961, he was an Egyptian Olympic swimmer and a school psychologist, and she was a brand-new schoolteacher straight out of Chapman College.
This book truly is a love story. Fahmy and Donna’s exceptional connection—their partnership—allowed for a shared life of service to others. Considering their generosity seen throughout the Chapman campus, one might assume the two Cypress School District employees came from families of great wealth. That was not their reality. Instead, the couple made smart choices—sacrificing their wants and desires—that resulted in retirement wealth beyond their greatest expectations. Their philosophy of paying it forward was blessed with returns on investment that helped them to do even more for others. Specific acts of generosity, such as funding scholarships and supporting educational programs, have left an indelible mark on the Chapman community.
Truth be told, I read an advance draft of Donna’s book more than a year ago. It was a true pleasure to revisit it now, this time with further refinement and insightful photographs, as I prepared to write this review. The book is beautifully structured, with each chapter offering a glimpse into different aspects of Donna’s life and the lessons she has learned. The inclusion of photographs adds a personal touch, making the reader feel even more connected to her journey. Having never had children, Donna and Fahmy effectively adopted all the students of Chapman as their children. Their generous spirit has touched and transformed the lives of countless others, and it will continue to do so through the legacy of generosity they created together.
Donna Ford Attallah’s journey is a testament to the power of kindness and the impact of paying it forward. Her story is not just a reflection of her life but a guide for anyone looking to make a difference in the world. Through her words, readers are reminded that generosity and compassion can create a lasting legacy that touches countless lives.
“Learning to Give and Share: A Life of Paying It Forward” is not available for purchase. Instead, Donna kindly printed 1,000 copies for Chapman to distribute as gifts for those who attended a book signing celebration at Leatherby Libraries on April 8, and so that every new graduate of Attallah College of Educational Studies will receive a copy of the book for years in the future. Through the printed word, the Attallah legacy of generosity is certain to reverberate for generations to follow, most especially as new Attallah College graduates begin their careers in the classroom and beyond. If you would like to read the book, email your request to legacy@chapman.edu; we will make copies available while supplies last.
