True stories of everyday people

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Ansuyah Naiken

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Ansuyah voted for the first time in her life in 1994. She describes the excitement and euphoria of the first democratic election held in South Africa and the rise to power of the African National Congress.

Belinda Fong

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An Unexpected Thanksgiving. Belinda, a recent immigrant from Australia, tells how overcoming an early hearing loss increased her love of music and her appreciation of other kinds of people.

Marcia Louise Baker

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Commuting from Tallahassee, Florida to Pelham, Georgia, Marcia Baker taught in an all boys school in the early 1970’s. She tells about bringing a new cassette recorder and tough love to her classroom of underprivileged children.

Sherril Lyn Adkins

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In the Summer of 1966 Sherril Adkins got a job as a waitress at Catfish King in Birmingham, Alabama. Having grown up on integrated military bases she had not yet experienced the racism of ordinary white folks of the South. When the restaurant would not serve an...

Wayne Roland Wellington

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As a child Wayne Wellington was impressed by the manner and dress of his shop teacher. Those polished shoes lead him to the path to higher education, teaching, and a successful career as an administrator.

James Edward Lindgren

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James Lindgren tells about how branches of the family in Sweden and the U.S.A. were separated by a falling out between a grandfather and his brother. Years later, after researching family history, the grandchildren reunited in peaceful correspondence and travel.

M. Travis DiNicola

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The question, “What are you going to do with your life?” came up many times in the life journey of Travis DiNicola. When you are multi-talented, how do you know when you shouldn’t be, say, a dancer? Travis tells of one of the many mentors who helped to guild him along...