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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 06/11/2025

In the midst of profound political and economic tension, the need for community-driven storytelling feels more urgent than ever. At VOW, we've taken this moment to reflect, reimagine, and respond. Learn more about how VOW has adapted to meet the moment in our 2025 Annual Report. 🔗 bit.ly/VOW-AR25

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 03/11/2025

Join us for Storytelling in Practice – a series of intimate conversations with impactful storytellers! 🎙✨ Hear from our 3 incredible guests: ⊹ NOV 13 • Lyndsie Bourgon, FRCGS 🔗 sip-lb.eventbrite.com ⊹ DEC 03 • Kristal Sotomayor 🔗 sip-ks.eventbrite.com ⊹ DEC 10 • feini yin 🔗 sip-fy.eventbrite.com

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 02/10/2025

The 23rd International Oral History Conference brought VOW to Kraków, Poland! 🇵🇱 Our very own Fanny García participated in the plenary about the complex challenges facing practitioners worldwide. 💡 Read Fanny's IOHA insights: voiceofwitness.org/ioha-2025 ▶️ Watch the plenary now: bit.ly/ioha2025

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Re-Thinking Oral History: Insights from IOHA 2025 - Voice of Witness

The 23rd International Oral History Conference brought Voice of Witness to Kraków, Poland!

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 05/09/2025

In early August, VOW joined No Immigrants No Spice and our vibrant Bay Area community for BBQ Without Borders. We hosted a Story Sharing table, inviting attendees to record & share their stories. To hear some of the community stories shared that day, visit: bit.ly/VOW-BBQ

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BBQ Without Borders: Celebrating Food, Community, and Immigrant Stories - Voice of Witness

This summer, VOW and our partner Gems Oral Histories hosted a Story Sharing table at BBQ Without Borders, inviting Bay Area community members to record and share their stories.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 02/09/2025

🔊 Community Voices Initiative is back! Applications are now open for Fall 2025 — apply by 9/28 to take a deep dive into the practice of oral history & ethical storytelling with VOW! 📅 Oct 7 - Nov 18, 2025 💻 Virtual 🚨 Only 20 spots available 📝 Details & application: bit.ly/CVI-fall25

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 29/08/2025

This week marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina — a disaster of unprecedented scale in American history. To commemorate this anniversary, we invite you to read VOICES FROM THE STORM, VOW's book that amplifies the voices of impacted New Orleanians. 📚 Order the book now: bit.ly/voicesfromthestorm

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 28/08/2025

Join us in welcoming VOW's new board members! After an extensive search process, we have 6 engaging, committed, and experienced professionals joining the VOW community: Lyndsie Bourgon, Giselle Chow, Vanessa Johnson, Louisa Morassutti, Sangeetha Rai & Tea Rozman Learn more at bit.ly/VOWboard

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 22/08/2025

We’re so excited to have kicked off VOW's new Ask An Oral Historian series with a sold-out first session! Don't miss the next open consultation hour in September: 📝 Narrative Editing 📅 Thurs, Sept 25 • 12pm PT / 3pm ET 🔗 Space is limited, so save your spot now: bit.ly/AAOH-2

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Ask An Oral Historian: Narrative Editing

Open consultation hour with Fanny García, VOW's Editorial Program Manager and Oral Historian

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 14/08/2025

Meet Jonathan Menjivar—podcast producer, reporter & one of the inspiring mentors in VOW’s Storyteller Initiative. In a conversation with VOW intern Claire Reisberg, he discusses his career path, storytelling journey & transition from mentee to mentor. 💬 Check out the conversation at bit.ly/4or6IhN

voiceofwitness.org

“What's your story?”: Jonathan Menjivar on the Importance of Mentorship and Storytelling - Voice of Witness

In a conversation with VOW Intern Claire Reisberg, Jonathan Menjivar discusses his career path, storytelling journey, and transition from mentee to mentor.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 31/07/2025

We’re excited to launch Ask An Oral Historian—monthly consultation hours with Fanny García, VOW's Editorial Program Manager & Oral Historian! Dive into the intricacies of oral history & learn alongside fellow storytellers in an intimate, small-group setting. 💡

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 24/07/2025

We’re closing out our summer workshop series on 8/6! Join us virtually for an intro to VOW’s oral history editing style, which combines journalistic integrity and a literary approach to honor narrators' voices and highlight complex issues through personal story. 🔗 Register: bit.ly/VOW-workshop3

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VOW Workshop #3: Building Narrative Editing Skills

An introduction to VOW’s oral history narrative editing style that combines journalistic integrity and a literary approach.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 18/07/2025

We’re thrilled to share that our book, #BeginningAgain, has won a Silver Midwest Book Award! 🥈🏆 A heartfelt thank you to the Midwest Independent Publishers Association for this incredible honor. 📕 Haven’t read it yet? Grab your copy now at bit.ly/3IP9mh0!

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Beginning Again

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 10/07/2025

Our second summer workshop is just around the corner! 🌿 Join us on 7/23 for an intro to interview practices, focusing on the role of respect, reciprocity, curiosity, trauma-informed approaches, insider/outsider power dynamics, consent, and more. 🔗 Sign up now: bit.ly/VOW-workshop2

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VOW Workshop #2: Exploring the Interview Process

An introduction to oral history interviews, trauma-informed approaches, and navigating common challenges.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 08/07/2025

The first session in our summer workshop series is TOMORROW 7/9! Join us for our skills-building workshop facilitated by VOW staff and Zaira Arvelo Alicea, a narrator from Mi María: Surviving the Storm, Voices from Puerto Rico. It's not too late to register at bit.ly/VOW-workshop1

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VOW Workshop #1: Narrator Experience & Storytelling Ethics

Intro to an ethics-driven oral history approach with a focus on centering the voices and experiences of narrators throughout the process.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 01/07/2025

We recently led a comprehensive workshop on oral history planning and archiving for the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (NMPRAC). We're proud to support their work documenting Puerto Rican migration and identity in Chicago. 🇵🇷 🔗 Learn more at: bit.ly/VOW-NMPRAC

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Preserving Puerto Rican Voices: Oral History Training with NMPRAC - Voice of Witness

Voice of Witness led an oral history project planning and archiving workshop for The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.

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El Tímpano @eltimpano.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

The event will also feature a multimedia gallery and the debut of a printed zine sharing stories from Spanish- and Mam-speaking community members about their pandemic experiences. Thanks to @voiceofwitness.org for partnering with us to collect these powerful oral histories!

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 26/06/2025

VOW's summer workshop series kicks off on 7/9! ✨ Join us virtually for an intro to our ethics-driven approach to oral history storytelling, with a focus on trauma-informed practices and centering the needs and experiences of narrators throughout the project. 🔗 Register now: bit.ly/VOW-workshop1

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 20/06/2025

This #WorldRefugeeDay, join us in uplifting and celebrating refugee storytellers. At a time when refugee and immigrant rights are under attack, their stories matter more than ever.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 07/06/2025

Today is the Teach Truth Day of Action! Students deserve to learn the truth about history & how to think critically so they can shape a more just future. We're proud to be a co-sponsor of the #TeachTruth campaign w/ Zinn Education Project & more. Get involved:

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Teach Truth Day of Action 2025

We invite educators, students, parents, and community members to host a mini-lesson, rally at a historic site, history walking tour, information table, or other event to defend the right to…

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 29/05/2025

📢 Our summer workshop series is now open for registration! We're hosting three online oral history workshops for individuals and organizations interested in first-person storytelling. 🗓 Register soon to reserve your spot: voiceofwitness.org/2025-worksho... #OralHistory #Storytelling #Nonprofit

voiceofwitness.org

Summer Workshops: Oral History Storytelling Skills and Ethics

Sign up for VOW's online oral history workshops to learn about ethical storytelling and gathering first-person narratives.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 28/05/2025

🗓️ Bay Area – join us at the Teach Truth Day of Action event on Saturday, June 7 in #Berkeley. We're proud to be a co-sponsor. 📚 Resources and book fair 🎵 Music 🍛 Food 🎨 Art 🤝 Community Together we can fight back against classroom censorship and book bans. #RightToRead #FreedomToLearn #TeachTruth

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 27/05/2025

When borders are weaponized and asylum is under attack, storytelling becomes a lifeline. Oral history is memory infrastructure—it preserves truths and experiences that institutions try to erase.

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El Tímpano @eltimpano.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

In our latest #mihistoria💬, Nati Lopez reflects on life under DACA during Trump’s second term and the emotional and legal complexity faced by undocumented youth still awaiting a permanent solution. www.eltimpano.org/mi-historia/...

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“When will I feel at home here?”

A DACA recipient faces an uncertain future during Trump's second term.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 19/05/2025

Across the country, stories are under attack: books banned, archives erased, and critical funding slashed. Organizations, including Voice of Witness, have had funding terminated by federal agencies.

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Every Campus A Refuge @everycampusarefuge.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

✨ Join Diya on May 21st for this webinar! She'll be talking with Voice of Witness about documenting refugee experiences, amplifying newcomer voices, and advocating for inclusion and belonging. Register here; www.eventbrite.com/e/oral-histo...

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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

We're almost out of time to #FundLibraries. We need you to call Congress TODAY. Tell Congress to fund libraries in next year's federal budget: bit.ly/Call2FundLibraries Without sustained funding, legal wins for the future of the Institute of Museum & Library Services will only be temporary.

Fund Libraries. Tell Congress to invest in libraries. American Library Association.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 15/05/2025

🗓️ Join us on May 21st for this webinar! We'll be talking with Diya Abdo about documenting refugee experiences, amplifying newcomer voices, and advocating for inclusion and belonging. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/oral-histo... #OralHistory #Storytelling #RefugeesWelcome #HigherEd

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Truthout @truthout.org · 13/05/2025

Republicans tacked the so-called “nonprofit killer” onto the end of their tax proposal. The legislation would give presidential administrations the ability to revoke groups’ nonprofit status by deeming them “terrorist supporting organizations” with virtually no recourse or due process.

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Republicans Sneak “Nonprofit Killer” Bill Into Tax Package, Giving Trump Tool to Quash Dissent

Opponents say the bill “threaten[s] the foundational rights of free speech,” especially targeting pro-Palestine speech.

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Truthout @truthout.org · 02/05/2025

Trump has signed an executive order calling for an end to taxpayer funding for NPR and PBS, an escalation of his dangerous assault on public media that could shutter hundreds of local stations.

truthout.org

Trump Signs Executive Order to Defund PBS and NPR

This escalation of his dangerous assault on public media could shutter hundreds of local stations across the country.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 02/05/2025

🌱 We recently led a full-day oral history workshop at SUNY Oneonta for educators from across the country. Our amazing participants included college faculty, K-12 educators, pre-service teachers, and school counselors. voiceofwitness.org/teacher-trai... #OralHistory #StudentVoice #ClassroomIdeas

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Teacher Training: VOW Leads Storytelling Workshop at SUNY Oneonta - Voice of Witness

Voice of Witness led a full-day training designed for educators to learn oral history and storytelling methods to support student learning.

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National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Our colleagues at @aaslh.bsky.social just launched a National Survey of History Practitioners to better understand the #PublicHistory workforce. If you work (or volunteer!) at a history org., consider responding to help build a stronger, more sustainable field: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NSHP2025

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 29/04/2025

✨ Join us on May 7th for this webinar! We'll be talking with Mark Menjívar about participatory projects rooted in oral history, archives, photography, and social action. Learn more and register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/oral-histo... #OralHistory #Storytelling #Archives #Memory #Photography

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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Interlibrary loans suspended in South Dakota. Without federal library funding, libraries across the state may be forced to halt or charge for sharing books—a service vital to students, families, and rural communities. southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/04/15/s... #ForOurLibraries

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‘After all our hard work’: Federal fallout leads to suspension of interlibrary loan courier service • South Dakota Searchlight

The State Library cannot renew its contract with the courier service due to “the uncertainty” surrounding federal funding.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 25/04/2025

🎙 “How can we use oral history to amplify multiple voices and perspectives?” 9th graders at GW High School took on this question through an oral history podcast project—interviewing family and community members about identity, culture, bias, and belonging.

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Classroom Spotlight: Ethnic Studies Podcast Project - Voice of Witness

Oral history podcast projects build curiosity, empathy, and vital student skills such as critical thinking, communication, SEL, and literacy.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 22/04/2025

🌎 On #EarthDay, we're extra proud to be supporting our Storyteller Initiative fellows' projects documenting resistance against environmental exploitation. Learn more about Feini's project on fisheries restoration and Kristal's project on water privatization here: voiceofwitness.org/meet-the-vow...

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Meet the VOW Storyteller Initiative Fellows - Voice of Witness

Get to know VOW’s inaugural Storyteller Initiative Fellows. These narrative changemakers are working to document and uplift stories on water privatization, food sovereignty, and racial justice.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 21/04/2025

We loved being a part of this community event and recording oral histories!

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 09/04/2025

Join us on April 23rd for this webinar! We'll be talking with Mi'Jan Celie Tho-Biaz about using oral history to honor our past, make meaning of our present, and vision liberated futures. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/oral-histo... #OralHistory #Storytelling #Archives #OctaviaButler

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 14/04/2025

Attend the film screening of No Separate Survival, hosted by our partner East Bay Sanctuary Covenant on April 15th. This short documentary and community project was co-produced with asylum seekers on both sides of the US/Mexico border. Stay for a Q&A panel with the director & the film's narrators.

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 09/04/2025

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 08/04/2025

Are you a federal worker or contractor whose position was recently terminated? Share your #OralHistory with this project:

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 07/04/2025

It’s #RightToReadDay and #NationalLibraryWeek. We need to collectively advocate for the freedom to read, the freedom to access information, and the freedom to find community — all of the opportunities books and libraries provide. New attacks are threatening programs, funding, books, and educators.

Image of a student reading a book and text that says "Take Action on Right to Read Day"

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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

ALA is deeply concerned by reports that IMLS is sending notices to libraries claiming to cancel grants that are required by law. This harmful action will disrupt libraries' ability to serve their communities. Tell Congress to protect library funding: bit.ly/CallCongressForLibraries #ForOurLibraries

Call Congress for our libraries. Show up for our libraries. American library association.

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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

With 80% of Institute of Museum and Library Services staff now on administrative leave, ALA President Cindy Hohl spoke with PBS NewsHour’s Jeffrey Brown about the agency’s vital role and the importance of federal library funding—especially for small and rural libraries. www.pbs.org/video/defund... 📚

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PBS News Hour | Library and museum support agency faces massive cuts | Season 2025

Library and museum support agency faces massive cuts after Trump order

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Voice of Witness (VOW) @voiceofwitness.org · 03/04/2025

📢 Our new storytelling course is now open! The Community Voices Initiative is an interactive, multi-week course taking a deep dive into oral history and ethical storytelling. Get all the details and register here: voiceofwitness.org/community-vo...

voiceofwitness.org

Community Voices Initiative: A New Multi-Week Storytelling Course - Voice of Witness

Register for VOW's new interactive course taking a deep dive into ethical storytelling and oral history for nonprofits and advocates.

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American Historical Association @historians.org · 31/03/2025

The AHA has released a statement in support of the Smithsonian Institution, the target of the recent EO, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This order “egregiously misrepresents the work of the Smithsonian Institution” and “completely misconstrues the nature of historical work.” 🗃️

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Historians Defend the Smithsonian - AHA

The American Historical Association has released a statement in support of the Smithsonian Institution, the target of the recent executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This...

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Maya Schenwar @mayaschenwar.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

"More journalists have been killed in Israel’s genocide in Gaza than in the past seven major U.S.-involved wars combined, marking the 'worst ever conflict' for reporters in history, a new report says." - @sharonzhang.bsky.social truthout.org/articles/isr...

truthout.org

Israel’s Genocide Has Reportedly Killed More Journalists Than WWI and WWII Combined

At least 232 journalists have been killed amid the genocide, a new Costs of War report finds.

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