Missouri’s Story, as Told by You

by Ashley Beard-Fosnow, Executive Director, Missouri Humanities

Missouri has a rich literary tradition rooted in personal narrative, memoir, and autobiography from “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” a 1969 autobiography describing early years of writer and poet Maya Angelou to George Hodgman’s well-received memoir “Bettyville” published in 2016 in which he wrote about his experience caring for his mother in Paris (Missouri) to the “Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant,” which is considered by many to be the most significant military memoir ever written. Even though his three-volume autobiography was published as recently as 2010 (100 years after his death because he feared much of it was too incendiary), many Americans, including Missouri Humanities’ own Chris Kempke, consider Mark Twain’s “Life on the Mississippi” (published in 1883) to be the greatest American example of personal narrative.

Personally, vulnerability is not a strength, so the mere thought of penning my most personal experiences and observations for the world or even writing them down for my kids to read someday sounds terrifying. For this and other reasons like time and motivation, I have not been consistent with keeping a journal over the years. Now in midlife, I’m afraid that I have probably forgotten many of the details and feelings experienced at critical moments of my earlier years. Last month, at three separate events, I was deeply impressed by three Missourians who possess the discipline, courage, and perseverance to write and share their lives with Missouri readers. They inspire me to reconsider the neglect I have shown to my own stories.

Governor Michael L. Parson

“No Turnin’ Back”

I attended a luncheon in Marshfield on September 25th to honor First Lady Teresa Pason. The keynote speaker that day was Governor Parson who discussed the biography of his life, “No Turnin’ Book.” Authored by Dr. Jim Jones, the authorized biography focuses on the story of Michael L. Parson and his journey from meager beginnings in small town Wheatland to the highest political office in the state. Earnings from the book have gone to the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation, a nonprofit that supports programs focused on children across Missouri.

I was so impressed with the level of humility and vulnerability with which Governor Parson presented his story from the podium that day in Marshfield. He explained that a few of his advisors questioned whether he should include specific stories depicting run-ins with the law in the book. Governor Parson insisted they be included, saying his personal lessons learned could inspire young people poised for their own turnaround. We discussed the importance of preserving narratives during the meal. Governor Parson said that he encourages the young people he meets to write down their stories. Written and oral personal narratives allow Missourians to convey a particular experience which impacted their lives. Personal narratives often aim to share the lessons learned from these experiences, which can inspire or teach the reader.

Dr. Gary Kremer

“This Place of Promise”

A few weeks later, I listened to Gary Kremer describe fifty years of scholarships at a reception hosted by the State Historical Society of Missouri. During his presentation, Dr. Kremer highlighted many of the books and articles he has written, including “This Place of Promise: A Historian’s Perspective on 200 Years of Missouri History.” In addition to being a comprehensive history of the state, the book is infused with personal experiences and reflections from Dr. Kremer. Authors often use personal narratives to explore larger themes or ideas through their unique experiences. In historical writing this is less common, but Dr. Kremer’s masterful writing strikes a powerful chord. “One of the great benefits of studying history,’ Dr. Kremer writes in the book, ‘is that the process provides us with an opportunity to come to grips with why we are the way we are.” Dr. Kremer is well-known across the state for his ability to spin a tale. His tales help us understand ourselves as Missourians. Many attribute Gary Kremer’s professional success to his skill for storytelling.

Dr. Kremer concluded his presentation that night by describing the impact his mentor, Lorenzo Greene, one of the nation’s premier Black historians, made on his life and his career. He read an excerpt from his journal from the day they buried Dr. Greene after his death. The passage moved me to tears because the descriptive words Dr. Kremer used to describe his mentor at the beginning of his career are the very terms I would select to describe Gary Kremer today. It was a beautiful moment that would have been impossible had Dr. Kremer not been documenting the experiences of his own life for so many decades. I left the meeting in Columbia believeing that every Missourian should be keeping a journal.

Deborah Taffa

“Whiskey Tender”

I attended the second annual Heartland Book Festival in Kansas City the very next day. Friend and former Missouri Humanities Board Member, Deborah Taffa, sat on a panel to discuss her memoir, “Whiskey Tender.” The book was shortlisted for the National Book Award and has been named to the 2024 best lists at Esquire, Oprah Daily, ELLE, and The Washington Post. We are thrilled about 

Deborah’s success. We were delighted to host her in Kansas City to discuss the book. During the conversation, Deborah shared that she had worked on this book for 10 years. She would write and rewrite the story, struggling to find the right audience. She came back to the story again and again. Versions where she tried to write the book to honor her ancestors or speak to contemporaries never hit the target. According to Deborah, it was not until she became a grandmother that the story came together- it is a memoir for the future. In the

 acknowledgments, she wrote a line that rocked me to my core, “To my grandsons… When I imagined you growing old enough to read my words, it drew the honesty out of me.” Deborah Jackson Taffa is a Kwatsaan (Yuma) Nation and Laguna Pueblo citizen. “Whiskey Tender” is the first book written by a member of Deborah’s tribe and thus a crucial preservation activity and educational tool. Sharing our stories can help us explore cultural contexts, highlighting shared values and customs, adding another dimension to the author’s experiences, and enhancing the reader’s understanding. This helps to emotionally engage the reader and creates an opportunity for cultural experiences to be shared more broadly and with generations to come.  

It has been over twenty years since I have written in a journal or considered preserving my own stories. The discipline, humility, and perseverance of these authors inspire me to recommit. Research in writing studies emphasizes that personal narratives allow individuals to express their thoughts and feelings and contribute to one’s identity and understanding of their experiences. If you have not been writing down your daily reflections and lived human experiences like me, let this be your call to action. The words you journal today could be the next great Missouri memoir or, at the very least, a valuable way to connect with your colleagues, community, or posterity.