Rural women’s strength and resiliency What a great week. I had the opportunity to reconnect with women I have not seen in a long while. Enjoy my brief synopsis: Opal finally had the courage to leave her husband of twenty years and to build her life without the man who chose to have multiple women. She spoke of the pain and the damage to her self-esteem. She was naturally … [Read more...]
Rural Women are Connected
Nancy, Peggy, and Rose... I had the honor in one day to visit with three rural women who were as diverse as they were similar. I personally knew all three and each was genuine, pleasant, and glad to see me. I was thrilled to see them. I wish I could have spent more time with each person. I had not seen one of the women in twenty years. Nancy had brain surgery and her memory, … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-14
Mary May in Central NE We stopped for ice cream and met a delightful rancher. Her story is a grand finale to my rural women stories collected as we drove across the Heartland and into Canada on our Can Am Spyder. Sitting while hot, tired, and lapping up a creamy delight, a woman came and sat with us. We had unconsciously sat where a cup was left on the table - it was her … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-13
Laura in North Central Indiana While at Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana, we had a rural Amish woman give us a tour of the only Old Order Amish Farm listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She allowed us to ask our curiosity questions and answered them with candor. She was a rural woman extraordinaire. I hung on her every word - I was impressed, intrigued, and … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-12
JoAnne in S Canada I briefly met JoAnne while staying at the King Hotel in Kingsville, Ontario. She was a rural woman who had recently moved back to her childhood home and remodeled it with her second husband. She had a career as an Administrative Assistant at a fire department. She spoke of her two grown daughters, her mother who had moved into a condo, and how she juggled … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland -11
My rural women's story today is in pictures...they tell a story with few words. As I understand, the Amish choose to have no electricity, keep motors at a minimum, and keep the values of their heritage/ancestors. Gave me much material for thought as I sat on the back of the Spyder with ample time and sweet views. Enjoy the picture story. I post this with the highest … [Read more...]
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Inez in Western NY Ninety-five years ago today, August 26, 1920, women were granted the right to vote. By chance, we happened upon a statue of three women in Seneca Falls, NY. It represented Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Bloomer (dress reformer), and Elizabeth Cady Stanton meeting - shaking hands. Anthony and Stanton played leading roles in the cause of woman suffrage. If not for … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-9
Hannah in NW Pennsylvania. We rode all day and I only talked to one man at an antique store when we stopped to look at a map. Otherwise I spoke with no person. But, I did get an email from a rural woman who was upset with a story I told at a recent presentation. She recalled I spoke of rape in a humorous story and that I was insensitive to women in the group who have … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-8
I only spoke briefly to one rural woman all day - but great stories are often short... Gail in S Central Ohio We saw a sign directing us to apples and peaches, and turned onto a road with the beautiful Ohio setting of lush green everywhere. We pulled into a farm orchard where a red barn with a horse weather vane greeted us. Upon entrance two women cheerfully said … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-7
Collective Faith in South Central KY Driving by a sign that said Sisters of Loretto, somewhere in the depths of my memory I thought of Sister Carol Sue. Loretto sounded so familiar and I wondered if she might live there. I asked around and learned Mass was at 10:00 on Sunday. With the help of some kind people who stopped to help us find our way, we found the Loretto … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-6
Ellie in Central KY "Hi" she said as we walked into the winery, "I love your hat." That was the beginning of a great story. She was the owner of the on-site winery. She had a vineyard until 2010 when she said at fifty it was too hot working the vineyard in the heat. She said she was tired of being a deduction and decided to make wine. She started in her garage and her … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-5
Wondering around Story Inn in Story, IN, population three, I happened upon a bar in the basement. The female bartender and a man and woman eating lunch at the bar were the only people in the room. We struck up a conversation and again an amazing story emerged...enjoy. Darla in South Central IN The woman at the counter said, "I see you must have rode-in on a Harley." (I had … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-4
While packing the Spyder in front of our hotel, a woman pulled up beside us and asked where we were from...where we were going, etc. We told her we were headed to Story Indiana. "Oh, I hope you get the blue room - it is haunted." I proceeded to tell her about the haunted Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO and her great story emerged. Enjoy. Cindy in Central Illinois Our house … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-3
A delightful woman who told me her story with enthusiasm and pleasure in remembering. Her eyes sparkled, and she laughed at herself. I only asked her how long she had been working in the gift store - I received the true gift; I could have taken her home in my pocket. Cindy in NE Missouri When I was young I said, "I never want to marry a farmer - I don't think living on a … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-2
Rain, rain, go away, come again another day...was my motto as we left NE and rode across MO (on our Can Am Spyder). I did have a delightful brief conversation with a woman through the window of her car after we pulled up beside her in front of a local cafe. Betty in NW Missouri I work here (pointing at restaurant we stopped for breakfast) and they stop serving breakfast at … [Read more...]