Women's History Month 2023

A personal story by our Director of Human Resources, Deanna Silverman :

This year’s theme to Women’s History Month 2023 is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories."

I have always been a storyteller. As a little girl I loved creating stories from my wild imagination. Sometimes these stories were filled with creative characters and sometimes they were so over the top, almost too absurd to believe, but the story that has had the most impact on my life … is that about my family.

I am the first generation born in the US. My parents both immigrated from Ukraine and Russia. ?I am also the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors.?My family’s story is the one that is not only the most important but carries the greatest responsibility.

I always knew the importance of storytelling. It’s crucial to tell the next generation the stories of the past, so they won’t forget. They won’t forget that their grandmother traveled from Ukraine to Poland and in 1964 immigrated to the US when she was sixteen years old. They hear the stories of her being stoned and classmates yelling anti-Semitic slurs while coming home from school because she was Jewish.

My children listen to the stories of how my grandfather saved 6 people during the holocaust because he spoke perfect German and yet lost his entire family: a wife and five children.

These stories are also my burden. I have a responsibility to speak up when each of my four children have faced antisemitism because of our religion. I had to become their advocate even when I didn’t want to. I have had more conversations about equality, religion, antisemitism and hate with parents, school administrators, teachers, and my children’s friends then I can count on my hands. I have learned that we must stand up for those who can’t, and we must educate those who are ignorant. My family sacrificed too much for us to live freely in this country and survived the unimaginable.

I am fortunate to live a privileged life. I know what can happen if someone witnesses a wrongdoing and does not speak up. My family suffered those consequences. It is my mission to raise my voice or do whatever is necessary to stand up for what I know is right.

What I love the most about storytelling is how it appeals to our senses, our emotions, and the instrumental impact it can make. Storytelling forges connections between people, communities, and cultures. Women need to continue to share what has made them strong and what challenges they still face. I will conclude with a poignant quote from Brene Brown “I now see that owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we will ever do.”

#storytelling #whatinspiresme #inspiration #gsgconsulting #womenshistorymonth