What inspired you to write “JOLIET"?
I felt it was important to recognize some of the people responsible for forging a city out of the prairie bluffs and what it
was like for the in Joliet. I wanted to spotlight their contributions. Joliet is my hometown. It became “home” to my great-
grandparents and grandparents who came to Joliet from Eastern Europe. My father owned a local tavern, and I always
felt as though we knew everyone in the neighborhood.I grew up with a real sense of community. I’m passionate about
reminding people to cherish their history, to record their family histories and for America.
Why is Joliet’s history so important?
First, Joliet’s diversity paints a portrait of America’s immigrant experience. People came to Joliet from the Greek Island of
Myconos, from Ljubljana, Slovenia, Metlika, Austria and Turin, Italy. African-Americans migrated to Joliet from the South
and helped to build a multi-ethnic community. Second, is Joliet’s focus on education. Europeans and others who settled
in Joliet were determined to see their children educated. Following World War II, Joliet experienced a second boom in
population, which saw its school system grow again. Today, education remains a priority, and City leaders are careful to
keep the school system in pace with the current population growth. Third, and equally as important, are Joliet’s leaders.
Early community leaders had great vision, a sense of purpose, and the tenacity to build a strong foundation for a
community that is still growing and changing. Today, Joliet is going through its second resurgence. The nationalities
may be different — but the opportunities are still here for people to live, work, and worship. The pull of stone and steel
that brought so much industry to Joliet in the early days has made way for new industries that have brought more jobs
and opportunities to the community — and to both Chicago and Illinois. Joliet has always attracted people who saw the
possibilities for social, educational, and economic growth.
I felt it was important to recognize some of the people responsible for forging a city out of the prairie bluffs and what it
was like for the in Joliet. I wanted to spotlight their contributions. Joliet is my hometown. It became “home” to my great-
grandparents and grandparents who came to Joliet from Eastern Europe. My father owned a local tavern, and I always
felt as though we knew everyone in the neighborhood.I grew up with a real sense of community. I’m passionate about
reminding people to cherish their history, to record their family histories and for America.
Why is Joliet’s history so important?
First, Joliet’s diversity paints a portrait of America’s immigrant experience. People came to Joliet from the Greek Island of
Myconos, from Ljubljana, Slovenia, Metlika, Austria and Turin, Italy. African-Americans migrated to Joliet from the South
and helped to build a multi-ethnic community. Second, is Joliet’s focus on education. Europeans and others who settled
in Joliet were determined to see their children educated. Following World War II, Joliet experienced a second boom in
population, which saw its school system grow again. Today, education remains a priority, and City leaders are careful to
keep the school system in pace with the current population growth. Third, and equally as important, are Joliet’s leaders.
Early community leaders had great vision, a sense of purpose, and the tenacity to build a strong foundation for a
community that is still growing and changing. Today, Joliet is going through its second resurgence. The nationalities
may be different — but the opportunities are still here for people to live, work, and worship. The pull of stone and steel
that brought so much industry to Joliet in the early days has made way for new industries that have brought more jobs
and opportunities to the community — and to both Chicago and Illinois. Joliet has always attracted people who saw the
possibilities for social, educational, and economic growth.
What was your most interesting experience while researching and writing the book? The serendipity of
searching for previously unknown photographs of the people in Joliet and then discovering photographs that included
both of my grandfathers. It was great fun talking with someone and suddenly realizing our family histories were
connected. We would look at each other in surprise and say, “My grandpa used to do that, or go there, too!” It
reinforced just how the community connected people’s lives.
What is the most important message in your book? To cherish and document the histories of our families and of
our communities for future generations. Our pasts serve as the foundation for the next generation - whether it is family,
the workplace, or through the schools we attended. I believe it’s important to preserve history in order to move forward.
JOLIET is also my effort to remind people from all over Illinois that we all learn from one another. Finding the common
thread between all of us helps us to understand that we are not alone in this world. No matter where or who you are, or
where your family came from, our shared experiences help us learn and grow.
Is there a special message for women in your book? As a female baby boomer, I feel especially dedicated to
telling younger generations the challenges of the brave women who helped shape our country. It couldn’t have been
easy to be an immigrant, and a female immigrant’s life was even more difficult. I learned about the hardships faced by
my own grandmothers. History books seldom include the stories of the Croatian and Slovenian women who left their
own families to come to America, and to Joliet. They were just as strong and brave as the men, and worked side-by-
side with their husbands and fathers to build the communities we can so easily take for granted.Women’s history is
important, and keeping alive the history of the women of Joliet is very personal to me.
When I was an undergraduate and Fine Arts Major at Illinois Wesleyan, I was greatly influenced by artist Judy Chicago.
The Dinner Party, which was executed between 1974 -1979, focused on the history of women in Western Civilization.
This was an important time for me as a young coed and it struck a cord. Chicago’s work was a vehicle for intellectual
transformation, social change and women's rights. After reading Dorothy Allison’s book, Bastard out of Carolina, I had
the opportunity to meet her at a bookstore reading in Andersonville. She looked right at me and asked, “Where are the
stories? You fought the fight and it was your life, don’t bury them. ”That’s how I feel about writing JOLIET. I made a
special effort to be sure the contributions of Joliet’s wonderful women are included! The history of Joliet would not be
complete in any other way.
How did growing up in Joliet shape your outlook on life? I was fortunate to be surrounded by a loving family. I saw how my grandparents and parents
helped the church, and how my mom was always willing to volunteer as “room mom” at school or drive a carload of kids to a basketball game, or to ice
skating or swimming. Family friends were folks from the neighborhood who were all first generation Americans with similar values and integrity. It was a
wonderful environment in which to grow up. My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins (lots of cousins) — were generous people and taught me a
strong sense of community responsibility.
Did community service also play a role in the Joliet schools? When I was a sophomore at St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy), each
homeroom collected food and gifts for a needy family. When we arrived at our assigned home, it was the poorest little shack I’d ever seen. We couldn’t even
imagine someone living like this in Joliet. We knocked on the door and a man answered. He had a son, a little boy not more than eight or nine years old. I’ll
never forget the inside of that little house. There was one light bulb over the kitchen area. They looked with both shock and delight when we placed boxes
loaded with food and gifts on the table. First the man asked who had done such a wonderful thing for him and his son, and he attempted to give us money
for the food. He just couldn’t believe it was all a gift. I cried the entire drive back to my parent’s house.
Why did you decide to become a writer? I decided to get my MFA later in life. After I earned my undergraduate degree, I didn’t have the money for
graduate school. Later, when I thought about what I wanted most in life — it was to write my stories and the stories of the people who had made my life
experiences so rich and full of opportunities.
What advice do you have for other women writers? NETWORK! Networking through the Illinois Woman’s Press Association had a great impact on my
writing career. That was how I met John Pearson, the publisher of Arcadia in Chicago.Service on the IWPA Board provides a great opportunity for me to
share my experiences with other women in communications, and to mentor and encourage women who have a story to tell. We all learn from one another.
Finding the common thread between all of us helps us to understand that we are not alone in this world.
I think it’s twice as difficult for a woman to get published and even more difficult if you are past a certain age. But it can be done. The women who influenced
me told me I didn’t have to sell out, I could pursue my dreams and goals if I believed in myself. Who ever would have thought I’d have my first book published
30 years after receiving my undergraduate degree? You can’t give up. You need to keep throwing those words on the page and seeing what will stick. You
have to keep pushing yourself up that hill and redefining your goals.
How else do you mentor other women? I try to make myself available to friends, colleagues, and other women who reach out to me. During my years as
Director of Volunteers for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, I mentored young women who were new to America and trying to adjust to our lifestyle.
Sometimes I believe American women forget what it must be like to be a woman in another country. We have it so much better than we know.
I will never forget Natusko, a volunteer who had been giving her time to help others, while learning our English language and expecting her first baby. Can
you imagine doing that? It made me think of my father’s mother. Grandma arrived in America with an infant. Not only did grandma not speak English, but also
she had to care for her child as she made the long journey alone by ship from Croatia to America, and then by train to Joliet to join her husband. While
working on my book, I grew to know my grandmother even better, and I began to wonder if anyone had been kind to her as she made her new home in
America. It made me try even harder to help this young woman.
What is your most important message to writers? First, is always to remember the importance of volunteering in your community or neighborhood. I
know there are so many stories in your own back yard, down the street, and in your own community. During my years along side the volunteers at the
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, I worked on philanthropy projects and community service events. When I defined Saturday in the City for
international students pairing them with alums from Illinois Wesleyan in the Chicago area...these were opportunities to help people, neighbors and
international travelers learn about Chicago and Illinois. Community service is important in America. Last year alone, the Points of Light Foundation reported
that "65.4 million people" volunteered at least once last year. By getting involved in your neighborhood - extraordinary things happen. Second, and
especially for women, my heartfelt message is to pursue your passions. Keep your heritage alive by writing about the people and experiences that have
shaped your life. Use your life experiences to create stories that inform, inspire and encourage others. Pursue your goals and dreams.
helped the church, and how my mom was always willing to volunteer as “room mom” at school or drive a carload of kids to a basketball game, or to ice
skating or swimming. Family friends were folks from the neighborhood who were all first generation Americans with similar values and integrity. It was a
wonderful environment in which to grow up. My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins (lots of cousins) — were generous people and taught me a
strong sense of community responsibility.
Did community service also play a role in the Joliet schools? When I was a sophomore at St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy), each
homeroom collected food and gifts for a needy family. When we arrived at our assigned home, it was the poorest little shack I’d ever seen. We couldn’t even
imagine someone living like this in Joliet. We knocked on the door and a man answered. He had a son, a little boy not more than eight or nine years old. I’ll
never forget the inside of that little house. There was one light bulb over the kitchen area. They looked with both shock and delight when we placed boxes
loaded with food and gifts on the table. First the man asked who had done such a wonderful thing for him and his son, and he attempted to give us money
for the food. He just couldn’t believe it was all a gift. I cried the entire drive back to my parent’s house.
Why did you decide to become a writer? I decided to get my MFA later in life. After I earned my undergraduate degree, I didn’t have the money for
graduate school. Later, when I thought about what I wanted most in life — it was to write my stories and the stories of the people who had made my life
experiences so rich and full of opportunities.
What advice do you have for other women writers? NETWORK! Networking through the Illinois Woman’s Press Association had a great impact on my
writing career. That was how I met John Pearson, the publisher of Arcadia in Chicago.Service on the IWPA Board provides a great opportunity for me to
share my experiences with other women in communications, and to mentor and encourage women who have a story to tell. We all learn from one another.
Finding the common thread between all of us helps us to understand that we are not alone in this world.
I think it’s twice as difficult for a woman to get published and even more difficult if you are past a certain age. But it can be done. The women who influenced
me told me I didn’t have to sell out, I could pursue my dreams and goals if I believed in myself. Who ever would have thought I’d have my first book published
30 years after receiving my undergraduate degree? You can’t give up. You need to keep throwing those words on the page and seeing what will stick. You
have to keep pushing yourself up that hill and redefining your goals.
How else do you mentor other women? I try to make myself available to friends, colleagues, and other women who reach out to me. During my years as
Director of Volunteers for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, I mentored young women who were new to America and trying to adjust to our lifestyle.
Sometimes I believe American women forget what it must be like to be a woman in another country. We have it so much better than we know.
I will never forget Natusko, a volunteer who had been giving her time to help others, while learning our English language and expecting her first baby. Can
you imagine doing that? It made me think of my father’s mother. Grandma arrived in America with an infant. Not only did grandma not speak English, but also
she had to care for her child as she made the long journey alone by ship from Croatia to America, and then by train to Joliet to join her husband. While
working on my book, I grew to know my grandmother even better, and I began to wonder if anyone had been kind to her as she made her new home in
America. It made me try even harder to help this young woman.
What is your most important message to writers? First, is always to remember the importance of volunteering in your community or neighborhood. I
know there are so many stories in your own back yard, down the street, and in your own community. During my years along side the volunteers at the
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, I worked on philanthropy projects and community service events. When I defined Saturday in the City for
international students pairing them with alums from Illinois Wesleyan in the Chicago area...these were opportunities to help people, neighbors and
international travelers learn about Chicago and Illinois. Community service is important in America. Last year alone, the Points of Light Foundation reported
that "65.4 million people" volunteered at least once last year. By getting involved in your neighborhood - extraordinary things happen. Second, and
especially for women, my heartfelt message is to pursue your passions. Keep your heritage alive by writing about the people and experiences that have
shaped your life. Use your life experiences to create stories that inform, inspire and encourage others. Pursue your goals and dreams.
| Photographs |
| at the Harold Washington Library after meeting Judy Chicago on November 4, 2010 |
