Ruth Irene Garrett, best-selling author of Crossing Over: One Woman’s Escape from Amish Life, Born Amish and My Amish Heritage, makes a return engagement to the L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire on Thursday evening, April 29, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. She will speak about Amish life and her decision to leave it behind, as well as the recent publication of her children’s book, Ruthie Goes to Town: Stories of a Little Amish Girl. The free program will be presented in the Eau Claire Room on the library’s lower level. Books will be available for purchase.
Ms. Garrett will speak about her experiences growing up in the Amish farming community of Kalona, Iowa, and provide information about school, games, chores, foods, crafts and clothing. Her presentation also reflects on the expectations for girls and boys, and then for young women and young men, in Amish families, and on social roles, courtship and marriage, and the often wrenching decisions young men and women must make about going out into the world or staying in the Amish faith and way of life.
Ms. Garrett left the Amish faith and her family in 1996 and was ultimately excommunicated from the Amish church. Since that time, she has fully immersed herself in modern life. Her story represents a unique insight into the Amish, one far different than the publicly held notion that the Amish way of life is forever pristine and free from strife.
For information call 715-839-5004, or e-mail the library at librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us
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