We are honored to have the Finding Voice project on display in the James B. Duke Library from April 10-17.
In May 1973, Wanda Meade was finishing her first year as a school counselor in a large junior high when a 14-year-old honor roll student came into her office the last week of school and said, “I cannot go home! I can’t live in this all summer! You have to help me!” And then she began to pour out what would be one of the worst cases of sexual abuse that Wanda would hear in her career. Her story has stayed with Wanda and what she remembered most vividly is one line the student said about her father. “He nailed the windows shut so we couldn’t get out.” In February 2013, the student’s story would surface again and through a series of synchronicities would lead to the Finding Voice project.
As founder and creator of Finding Voice, Wanda has found a wonderful opportunity to combine her education and experience as a counselor, trainer, and teacher with her love of photography. This project has become her passion and she hopes to raise the collective consciousness about sexual abuse and to call communities to action for prevention.
Over the course of 3 years, Wanda Meade created 24 story panels. These panels are captured on 24” x 36” canvases. The photographic images for each panel are her work. The story lines that are paired with the photo images were entrusted to her for this project by individual survivors in the hope of opening eyes and raising consciousness. These panels will be on display in the James B. Duke Library from April 10-17.
Advocacy and Healing: A Community Dialogue – Thursday, April 14, 7:00 pm, Thomas Room Join the Furman Community on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 7 pm in the Thomas Room of the Trone Student Center to discuss sexual assault, activism, and art as a tool for advocacy and healing of survivors. Greenville native, Wanda Meade, will address her photography project “Survivors Finding Voice”, the use of art as a tool for advocacy and social activism, and the mental health implications of assault and trauma. Furman professor, Dr. Brandon Inabinet, will be discussing the rhetoric of advocacy and social activism. Join us for an inclusive and supportive community dialogue in light of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
To learn more about Wanda Meade and the Finding Voice project, visit: http://survivorsfindingvoice.com/about-wanda-meade/
Did you know that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month? Visit Wanda Meade’s blog to learn about local agencies that provide services to sexual assault and child abuse survivors and their families.