HERSTORY
"It is in the Shelter of Each Other that the People Live."
Irish proverb
Roots
Lee grew up on the ancestral lands of the Shawnee peoples, navigating between steel mill and farming communities in a 100% Christian area of western Pennsylvania's rust belt.
It was a traditional, mono-cultural and macho setting: schools closed on the first day of deer-hunting season so men could hunt. Females had limited opportunities and religious, ethnic, or class differences loomed larger than race. Blending into the 'melting pot' was part of 'being American', even if it meant hiding one's heritage. Prejudice towards (Catholic) Italian, Polish, Irish and Jewish Americans was common. These factors sparked Lee's lifelong interest in reducing social inequities. |