Joan Hicks Boone - The Best Girl
Joan Hicks Booth is a Minnesota author who writes on domestic violence. She grew up with a violent father and is plagued with the constant fear that her mother may die. Joan will read from her book, share her experiences, and talk about domestic violence and her triumph over that. Much of the story takes place in New Brighton, with Redwood Falls being the home of the Tighe family originally. They do visit Redwood Falls and Duluth also. History is told from a child's point of view in a few cases, as well.
44 participated
Participants may learn how someone might deal with and overcome violence and alcoholism in their family. Attitudes towards those affected by violence and alcoholism may change after they hear what it was like dealing with these things every minute of every day. Participants may become interested in volunteering for an organization that helps victims of domestic violence. Local folks will be interested in hearing this story as Joan aunt, Barbara, lives in Redwood Falls currently and the Tighe family is mentioned in the book. There is some history in the way families dealt with problems, the way law enforcement dealt with alcoholism, and other situations in the book. Anecdotal responses will be collected.
Participants learned about de-escalating a situation, how to stay calm in the face of danger, and how stressful it can be growing up with abuse. Participants learned why some spouses stay with abusive partners, the effects of this on their future relationships, as well as the effects of the abuse on the children. Participants learned that alcoholism is often a factor in abuse. They also learned about the many long term effects of the initial abuse and how it affects generation after generation, in some cases.
Friends of the Library, KLGR Radio, Redwood Gazette