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Gather! Celebrate! Heal!
Published in the Spring 2009 issue of AppalActions, the newsletter of the Appalachian Community Fund.
 The first gathering of In Praise of Mountain Women (In Praise) sharing, remembering, and strengthening each other was in 1991, and this June marks the eighth time women have gathered from all parts of Appalachia and beyond. In the past few years the theme has developed into "Celebrating our Home Place: This Earth is Home to Me." According to Anne Leibig, part-time volunteer staff, this theme fits into their practice of "creating a movement of women caring for self, the Earth as our Home-place, and hearing stories of women from around the globe." Over the years, hundreds of women have been part of the process of envisioning, planning and implementing the Gatherings, which are especially welcoming to "first-step" women, women who have few opportunities to leave home and who can come and take part. Each Gathering has "safety women" who are specially identified to be a safe source of information, comfort, or support. The "Home Circles" are part of the process of planning and organizing and are based in the local communities. Women who have participated form a "home circle" and draw other women in to help plan and to keep connected with other circles and to keep movement going between events. Anne says "we create it as we do it and we have to trust the process." "In Praise changed my life."
The gathering programs include women telling stories about how they relate to their Homeplace, opportunities to respond to those stories, and an evening of sharing that includes a talent show and playful celebration. The closing is designed to send women home with tools and inspirations to carry forth. The overall experience is a healing one where women can express what has been going on with themselves and the earth. One Experience Renda Keith has been active with In Praise for eleven years. Other women like Barbara Greene and the late Teri Vautrin supported and encouraged Renda to gain the strength and courage to attend her first meeting. She was amazed to find herself in an environment with strangers where she felt supported, welcomed and listened to when she talked. She says, "In Praise changed my life." Visitors since July 2008:
Last updated 3/09.
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