HER PLACE IN THE PROJECT:

I get compared to my mom often; when I tell people who know her that I studied English in college, or that I like to read and write, the first thing they’ll say is usually, “Oh, just like your mom!” And no matter how many times I’m compared to her, every time it feels like a compliment.  

My mom is responsible for so much of who I am today, from the traits I inherited to the example she set for me growing up. Her role in my life is integral to the person I have become, making it impossible for me to do a study of female bravery and authenticity in my family without starting here.

There are so many traits and lessons I have inherited from Monica, but the one that is vital to the creation of this project is the passed-down love of reading, writing, and stories. Some of my happiest childhood memories involve reading with my mom and visiting bookstores with her. We’d often visit our local Barnes and Noble, where she would take 15 minutes to pick up a few books for herself before spending 45 minutes paging through them in the kid’s section, where I had what felt like all the time in the world to look around. She always encouraged me and my younger brother, Dominic, to explore creativity and think outside the box.

As I grew older and my mom and I began reading similar things, we started discussing books, articles, stories and ideas in what feels like the best never-ending conversation. My insatiable desire to verbalize everything I’m learning or experiencing has always been put to rest through hours of dialogue with my mom about, well, everything – not only stories, but life, transitions, love, friends, emotions, challenges and more. My mom was my first model of great interviewing; she asked questions with care and compassion and then allowed me to express myself openly, always responding with empathy to my concerns. My mom has taught me not only the value of storytelling, but the value of listening actively to the stories of others in the hopes of creating connection and understanding.

In interviewing my mom, I hoped to put these skills to use so that I could gain a new perspective on what I already knew about her history and values. Specifically, I wanted to know how she consistently cultivates positivity, how she approaches her roles of marriage partner and mother, and how she continues to develop her sense of authenticity through her work and life. Linked below is her As-Told To Story, which was compiled from an interview we did together in February 2019. Visit the Lessons Learned: Interviews page to read about my four takeaways from Monica’s interview.