True stories of everyday people

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Ansuyah Naiken

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.

Frances Whitener

After a childhood in Martinsville, North Carolina, reading plays and dreaming of being a teacher of drama, Frances faced the frightening real life drama of serious heath issues. When Frances and her husband Rick came to Indianapolis they found job opportunities,...

Ellen Hart Munds

During her childhood Ellen Hart Munds visited River House, the beautiful home of her Great Grandmother Nelly in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Over the years Ellen has kept family history alive by passing the stories about Nelly and other relatives along to the next...

Diane Lee Richards

Diane grew up admiring her Aunt Helen who, with her husband Don, ran a flight school. It took years to find out that Helen had flown bombers and pursuit planes back during WWII. Diane reflects on the life of her remarkable and yet modest Aunt.

Frank Basile

Frank Basile talks about going to Santa Fe where he was able to thank a former teacher of fifty years ago, face to face, for encouraging him to overcome the fear of public speaking.

Matthew Steward

After graduating from IU Bloomington with a degree in Political Science, Matthew Steward considered law school but applied to the Indianapolis Police Academy on a whim. Thirty five years later he has no regrets.

Andrew Dale Hamaker

In an excerpt of his story about the life lessons learned from his father, Andrew tells about how his parents encouraged their children to learn to play music. One Christmas evening they found a clever way to channel Andrew’s passion for playing the snare drum.

Paul Francis Smith

Paul Smith grew up in a Navy family. In the 1960’s when he was a teenager they moved from Athens, Georgia to Monterey, California. Paul talks about the challenge of fitting in and learning to be true to himself.