Tag: family values

Becoming an American Citizen: A Latina’s Story

Stephanie Ortez

To begin a new life in a new country involves compromise and can be both a blessing and a burden. I’ve experienced both in the same day. It was one of the hardest days of my life.The lump in my throat stopped me from saying goodbye to my family verbally. Read more

Stephanie Ortez

Stephanie is a highly caffeinated mother of two wonderful boys. She is hopelessly addicted to non-fiction books and literature that moves her to tears. She is an admissions advisor for George Washington University online where she assists homeschooled students internationally. Stephanie lives with Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She is a passionate mental health advocate, member of Stigma Fighters. Her writing has been featured on The Elephant Journal, The Mighty, The Organic Coffee Haphazardly and Feminine Collective.

When My Best Friend Accuses Me of Being Normal

Jessica Rinker

I’ve gone through phases when I’ve wanted to appear normal. I wore properly pasteled clothes from Lands End, drove a mini-van, attended mom and me classes, bought the right snacks for soccer practice, made Halloween costumes by hand, went to the mall in regular intervals. Actually all that makes me Read more

Jessica Rinker

Jessica M. Rinker received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2014 and is a freelance writer and editor as well as a reading teacher for the Institute of Reading Development. Between teaching, reading, writing, and mothering her life is books and kids--all soul-fulfilling work. Jessica is represented by Linda Epstein of Emerald City Literary Agency, has had work published in Curious Parents Magazine and is a theater critic for patheatreguide.com. She lives with her partner, Joe McGee (also a children's author) and her sheltie, Marley, (who is not an author, but is an excellent fetcher), in Pennsylvania.

The Gloria Steinham Rule

Dena Baris

My dad gave me a copy of Ms. Magazine during my early tweens somewhere around 10 to 12 years old, during 5th or 6th grade circa 1980-82.  Gloria Steinham became someone I read and eventually admired for her understanding of all women’s issues, not just the ones the media highlighted Read more

Dena Baris

Dena Barisano (pen name Baris) was born in Boston. She has a B.A. in English from Hofstra University and an M.A. in Communications from Suffolk University. After training to be a journalist and nonprofit work, she took a position toiling in public service, while writing fiction and poetry. She lives across the harbor from Logan Airport's infamous Runway 22L.