The Heritage Education Foundation blog

NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2004

Welcome to Heritage Education Resources' occasional newsletter. The idea behind it is to let many of you know about what HER is up to and to thank you for your support.

ACTIVITIES

Domestic Violence Documentation

HER is working with rural women in north Florida to document experiences of abuse and survival. The goal of this project is to create an anthology with introductory material that can be used in the college classroom as well as by the general public.

Domestic violence, especially among rural women is difficult to document for a number of reasons. One is probably the most obvious: some women don' t want to relate their stories to strangers. Another reason is that women don' t often step forward to say they have experienced abuse, physical or emotional. HER is fortunate to have met a group of women who are interested in sharing their stories. While some are interested in recording their experiences, others are more comfortable writing. This in and of itself gives rise to an interesting sub-genre of vernacular writing.

HER is currently seeking funding for fieldwork.

A Woman' s Tears Are a Mother' s Tears

Millie Jackson is a 60 year old woman who was born and raised in Cottondale, FL in the Panhandle. A Woman' s Tears is her autobiography of raising three sons and living in two abusive situations. HER is editing the autobiography which Millie hopes will bring inspiration and comfort to other women. At this time HER is seeking out potential publishers. Anyone who can make suggestions on getting the autobiography published would be most welcome.

Rural Women and Domestic Violence Conference

HER attended one day of a three day conference highlighting issues in rural women' s experience of domestic violence. The conference explored issues from women' s direct experiences to public policy. The conference was sponsored in part by the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Fund-raising

HER is seeking funding for general operating and project support from Florida-based foundations. HER is also accepting tax deductible contributions from its supporters.