Belinda Michael is a senior English major/Women's and Gender Studies minor at the College of
 New Jersey.  One of her passions at the College is Saathiya, an Indian dance team, which
 she performs with both on and off campus.  She participated in "Woman is the Word" during the
 Fall 2004 semester.

 Q: What were your greatest worries or hesitations when you signed up to do this
 project? What ultimately pushed you to take on the challenge?

 A: Dr. Tarter actually scared me one day when she said "come to my office when you get a
 chance." I thought it was because of a paper I had written that needed major work. When I
 finally went up to visit her, she waited for a while (making me really anxious) and told me that
 she would really like for me to do this project in the Fall semester. I was really honored to be
 thought of and excited to have this opportunity. I had served as a typist for the women in Dr.
 Tarter's spring semester "Woman is the Word" course, so I knew exactly what I would be getting
 myself into. As most people, I had preconceptions of what prison would be like, not having ever
 seen one. I thought the women would be jealous that we, the student teachers, still had our
 lives ahead of us and they were stuck in prison for the majority of theirs. I thought we'd get
 looks because of the clothes we wore, the way we talked and the authority we held at our age.

 Q: How did you see yourself changing throughout the duration of the course? How did 
 the prisoners change? How did their transformation affect you?

 A: On the way to our first meeting I admit that I was scared to face these 'hard criminals' as I
 had imagined them. I lagged behind Dr. Tarter to delay the face off, but as soon as I was
 introduced to these women their humanity was revealed and since that time I have gotten close
 to many of the women and view them as friends.

 Q: Have you seen Lorna Johnson's documentary "Freedom Road"? What were your
 reactions to it?

 A: I saw Lorna's documentary during Dr. Tarter's lecture in Haddonfield. It was a pleasure to be
 able to show other people what we see every thursday because it is so hard to explain the
 fences and barbed wire and the way the prison looks and feels. Lorna is able to capture many
 emotions in her depiction of Edna Mahan Correctional Faciility because there were points in the
 documentary that stirred emotions that are usually effected in the prison itself. It is amazing to
 hear these women tell their stories and know that they probably feel so honored and appreciated
 to be heard.

 Q: What career are you aspiring towards and will your experience with "Woman is the
 Word" affect your approach to it in any way?

 A: As I complete my final year at TCNJ, I hope to continue with a masters degree in English and
 teach literature at an undergraduate level. My experience with "Woman is the Word" will
 definitely enhance my abilities as a professor because I have learned to work individually with
 the women and find that it is a very nurturing experience. Having to make lesson plans and lead
 discussion in "Woman is the Word" will also serve as field experience for my future profession.

 Go back to the "Woman is the Word" page