Intro

Hi, my name is Shaena. I grew up the youngest daughter on a small family farm, and was rooted in the ground by strong women. Now, as an adult, my heart is never far from the land. After moving to the Appalachian foothills of Athens, Ohio five years ago to pursue an education in visual storytelling and anthropology, stories of women and land routinely sparked something inside of me. I found myself constantly drawn toward the female characters I met that had deep and inspiring relationships with land; modern women reinventing classic…

Meet Valerie Fox

To get to Valerie Fox’s farm, Haulin’ Hoof Farm, one must drive down a shady, gravel, twisting and hilly road. And suddenly, you will erupt from the shade into open air, and see the hills turn to golden or green fields hugging the landscape. In front of the farm roaming free are guard turkeys and big white sheep dogs, and from just beyond the house you can hear the bah-ing of sheep. Unlike most farms that I have known, there are rarely mechanical sounds. This is a conscious decision of both Valerie…

Meet Ma Parker

Cindy Parker, nicknamed Ma Parker, is a spirit that fills the room. It’s impossible to not be embraced by her heartfelt laughter, genuine love and nurturing spirit. And nurturing is what Cindy does best. She holds onto a deep felt belief in the value of mothering and nurturing families and community; a belief in taking care, that drives her path throughout life.

There is a sparkle in Cindy’s eyes that took me awhile to figure out. While talking about her grandson, Milo, it occurred to me. It is a wholeness that comes in…

Contributed Stories

these stories are submitted by individual women rather than done as a collaboration with project director Shaena Mallett.

explore the stories under the Contributed Stories Tab above

What Now?