There’s Power in Naming and Power in Knowing your Name

Issue 134— July 6, 2020

My cousin Elizabeth is making good use of this time of sheltering during the pandemic to dig into our family history. It was rooted in the small town of Birzai, Lithuania for hundreds of years until two world wars either killed them or dispersed them to many corners of the world. One of the most intriguing and yet exasperating parts of this exploration is getting the names right as spellings varied from language to language. Vinn became Vinh or Bein, Henne to Hannah, and even some in the same nuclear family some people spelled their last names differently.

So what is in a name anyway? Identity, Personhood. Justice. Say her name: Breonna Taylor. Say his name: George Floyd.

Who Edits History?

I have been secretary of almost every organization I’ve ever belonged to. It started with when I was a Girl Scout. I suppose I was chosen to be secretary because throughout elementary school I carried around a notebook and pencil to write stories. And I quickly learned that she who holds the pencil gets to tell the story of the meeting her way, even with the constrictions of Roberts Rules of Order.

Victoria's Secrets: 10 Lessons You Can Adopt From Herstory

If you are a fan of the PBS costume drama, “Victoria,” that just wrapped up season 3, then you know that this constitutional monarch who ruled the United Kingdom, Ireland and even became the Empress of India for a total of 63 years is one fearsome queen.

Tools and TipsMichele WeldonMarch 11, 2019History, Michele Weldon, television, women in history, women leadersComment

Power Up For Parity With Armor Art, Take The Lead On Seneca Falls Anniversary

Artist Linda Stein wants you to keep your hands on her art.Sculptor, activist, educator, performer, writer and founding president of Have Art: Will Travel!, Stein is collaborating with Take The Lead July 18 for a powerful fundraising event, “Carry The Spirit of Seneca Falls: Gender Parity in 2018 and Beyond,”

EventMichele WeldonJune 29, 2018art, events, Gloria Feldt, History, Michele Weldon, WOMEN'S HISTORYComment

The Meaning of Crackers, or What Painful Memory Holds You Back?

Stefi materialized like a sea sprite during our first breakfast at the Dubrovnik estate overlooking placid turquoise Adriatic waters. In an uncharacteristically impulsive act, I had purchased four nights for four people in this Croatian paradise at a charity auction. And here we were, absorbing the wonders of this gorgeous place, complete with Nada the amazing chef, a driver—and Stefi.

Gloria FeldtJune 3, 2014boundaries, History, memory, opportunity, trauma Comments