my_earthwalk

I would like to thank "The Great Spirit" for bringing these people into my life.

My father, Philip

My mother, Blanche

My brother, Philip

My aunts and uncles; Lucille and Al, Ralph and Ruby, and Zeke and Pearl

My husband, Rick

My children, Sean, Chloe, Lisa and Kris

My grandchildren, Chance, Shakari, Brandon, Jennifer, Tyler, and Mason

My friend and adopted daughter, Kat

Friends who gave me the strength to do this; Maria Terese, Kitty and numerous others who have touched my heart.

And a very special thank you to my friend who designed this webpage. She has a link to her sight available.

I also want to thank Mary from Safe Harbor because without my experience there I would not have done this major step toward a greater humanity.
Thank you, Mary!

If I have missed anyone, you know who you are and you know you are in my heart!

I am fifty-three years old. I am a daughter, a sister, a mother, a lover, a wife, and a grandmother. Who I am is a little more complex.

I am native and anglo. Taught by my father and mother to live in this world with truth, compassion and understanding. My father's family came from the hills of Arkansas and it was his mother who had the most effect on who he became. This grandmother's name was Amanda Tennessee Voss and she brought the Cherokee pride into this family. She was the "elder" in her community. They called her "Sister Tenny". My mother's family came from across the sea; from England. They came here when my grandmother was only six years old. My mother has a profound kindness for all people and a great faith in "God". Both of my parents passed along their faith and conviction to me.

I always had a feeling that I was most like my father's family and now I am told how much I am like my grandmother, "Sister Tenny". I hope so, because that would be a great honor. My father is no longer with us however, he's always here in spirit.

I was born in Pensacola, Florida, but lived just outside Mobile, Alabama. I was about four when we came to Wisconsin to live. As a child I can remember being more comfortable in the presence of animals than people. I grew up feeling that I did not fit into anglo society. I felt most at home when we visited my family in Arkansas. It took me a long time to allow myself to be who I am and allow myself to be lead.

I have always been very involved in women's issues and have come to see the need to "heal" the whole circle not just one part. I have worked in women's shelters, public defender's offices, juvenile offender facilities, and human service agencies. I have organized communities with the issues of both domestic violence and sexual assault. I have reached out to young and old; men and women; black, red, yellow and white; and one thing remains constant, the need to "heal".