The stories in this Covid-19 series offer a time capsule into life in Wisconsin during this extraordinary time. From a minor league baseball player to a barber to a farmer to an ER nurse, these are stories of resilience and people using their creativity and skills to support their community. Below you will find stories that share our lives, our shared future, our Wisconsin.
I wasn’t always Barby the book fairy. I was born and raised on the South Side of Milwaukee. Photos courtesy of Barbara Cerda My parents are immigrants from Mexico, my mom grew up here and my father came when he was seventeen. I became a teen mom when I was fifteen years old, and again
Barby the “Book Fairy” Read More »
I’m from Fall Creek, Wisconsin, which is a very small town. Growing up, I was surrounded by a family of storytellers. Photos by Andi Stempniak My dad’s a public speaker, and my grandparents love to tell stories. My paternal grandmother has been writing poetry for longer than I’ve been alive, and my mom’s mother used
“I love creating characters with important life lessons to learn.” Read More »
I call Eau Claire home. I grew up in Elk Mound but was born and raised in Eau Claire. My Hmong-American identity really comes out on the weekends. Photo courtesy Tor Ger Billy Lor On the weekdays, I hang out with people my age. But, on the weekends, I hang out with people twice or
Learning and Practicing as a Shaman Leader Read More »
When my family first came to Green Bay, it was a big change. I came from the second largest city in Mexico to a small town, and the adjustment was difficult. Photos courtesy of Rogelio Contreras Just the language difference was more difficult than anything. All I knew about Green Bay was that summers were
“I don’t want to stop moving forward.” Read More »
The Wisconsin Historical Society Press published ‘Hope Is the Thing: Wisconsinites on Perseverance in a Pandemic’. In this series, we feature five writers who share their experiences as they explore hope in the era of COVID-19. BJ Hollars both edited and contributed to the book. March 10, 2020 was my last presentation in a public
“Writing helps me untangle my thoughts.” Read More »
The Wisconsin Historical Society Press published ‘Hope Is the Thing: Wisconsinites on Perseverance in a Pandemic’. In this series, we feature five writers who share their experiences as they explore hope in the era of Covid. Yia Lor contributed an essay to the book. I am from Chippewa Valley. I spent much of my childhood
“How can I be that seed that continues.” Read More »
The Wisconsin Historical Society Press published ‘Hope Is the Thing: Wisconsinites on Perseverance in a Pandemic’. In this series, we feature five writers who share their experiences as they explore hope in the era of Covid. Jay Gilbertson contributed an essay to the book. I live with my husband in Prairie Farm, it’s a very
“What does hope mean to me?” Read More »
The Wisconsin Historical Society Press published ‘Hope Is the Thing: Wisconsinites on Perseverance in a Pandemic’. In this series, we feature five writers who share their experiences as they explore hope in the era of Covid. Jamie Vue contributed an essay to the book. Being from a family of refugees grounds me and is where
“Being from a family of refugees grounds me.” Read More »
The Wisconsin Historical Society Press published ‘Hope Is the Thing: Wisconsinites on Perseverance in a Pandemic’. In this series, we feature five writers who share their experiences as they explore hope in the era of Covid. Louie V. Clark III contributed an essay to the book. My wife and I got married in 1975 and
“I saw hope in a fastball.” Read More »
I have lived in La Crosse since I was nine. I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand, and I lived there until my family came to America. Photo courtesy of Xong Xiong My main memory of that place was that I was free. Even though I was confined to the one-mile radius of
“Concern for a just and equitable world is a driving force for me.” Read More »
I grew up in Decatur, Illinois, a couple generations removed from our family farm. My dad was a heavy equipment operator. Mom was, as I like to say, a comfort food gourmet. Photo courtesy of Bill Stork We had one of those houses where Dad had a bullet heater and jack stands in the garage;
“Learning begins where comfort ends” Read More »
I’ve been playing soccer since I was three. Pretty much my whole life. Soccer is one of the most important things in the world to me. Photo courtesy of Tikeh’s famly I also love to read, so I decided to put these two things together and write a book. I am twelve years old now, but
“I have my whole family to thank for everything.” Read More »
