New Essay: The Legacy that Still Shapes the Midwest
A reflection on the elders I interviewed for my book.
Hey friends — I recently published a piece that feels deeply personal, and I want to share it with you.
In “Your Impact Never Ends: How The Legacy of Three Women Still Shapes the Midwest”, I reflect on three extraordinary women — Harriet Berg, Penny Gardner, and Grace Stinton — whose lives I encountered during my ethnographic research for my book Stories of Elders. Although my original project focused on technology and the high-tech revolution, these women grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go.
They’re not household names, but they should be. Berg was a Detroit-born dancer who built community; Gardner was a professor and activist who lived out authenticity; Stinton was a “Rosie the Riveter” turned quilter whose art and strength echoes across generations. Through their stories, I explore how art, identity, and history ripple outward — how one life quietly shapes many others.
Writing this piece reminded me that legacy isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s a dance studio, a quilt, or a classroom. But the influence of these women continues, and it matters.
If you read it:
What story hit you hardest?
Did any of their lives remind you of someone in your own family or community?
How do we make sure these voices don’t fade into the background of our cultural memory?
The past isn’t just a place we visit — it’s a foundation we build on. Thank you for being here, and for holding space for stories that echo across generations.