Your Legacy

March 5, 2010 Cherie Bombell 6 comments

There is only one of you. Your life and experiences are unique to the world and, more importantly, to those you love and love you. I encourage you to write about your life, your experiences, your feelings and your beliefs. Leave these important lessons and insights for posterity. You have a life and exist in a place in time that won’t be repeated. Create this gift for your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren so they can know you and their roots. You and your story are part of their identity and their heritage.

Leave a comment or, if you like, send me your stories as you write them – find me via the ‘Contact Me’ page. I’ll create a page just for you. Your legacy will be preserved and your friends and family can read your entries no matter where they are in the world.

#1 | Written by moubrottNem on May 2, 2017. Reply

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#2 | Written by Linda Tart on August 15, 2015. Reply

I heard things about Geneva. In the late 50’s there were some scandals about guards having sex with the girls. I had a sister that was in there in the late 50’s, (a couple of times) I remember, the first time she went, she could wear her own clothes, the second time, she had to wear a uniform. When I went, in 1961, I was wearing a uniform but I did not mind because it was clean. I can honestly say, it was not a bad place and I enjoyed my stay there. Nobody was cursing me, BEATING ME, degrading me, or encouraging me to do things that were not right. I was ALWAYS called “stupid” at “home” but when I went there, I was placed in high school, in spite of me not finishing 8th grade, and I was only 13 1/2. Additionally, I was on the honor roll.
Mrs. Williams, worked in the library (she knew my sister and her husband worked in St. Charles) I use to help her and she allowed me to take out all the books I wanted. I believe I read EVERY Hardy Boys books. Ms. Becker was my social problems teacher. She exposed me to maps and I remember her explaining the deployment of troops to Viet Nam. She was afraid, that it would lead to another war. She use to slip me copies of the Negro Digest and that is when I became familiar with the liberation struggles that were taking place in Africa. She was an extremely KIND woman, that I will never forget her. Mr. Watkins, was my typing teacher. Within 5 months, I was typing 70 words per minute. Typing is a skill, that has helped me throughout my life. Mr. Massey, was my science teacher. Mr. Franklin, was my English teacher. I had a friend, named JoAnne Walker. Two days after she got out of Geneva, she was killed, by a boy playing with a gun. It was on radio and the entire campus went into grief. Mr. Franklin took it HARD. I saw him cry and he would not allow anybody to sit in her seat. The next semester, he left. It was too difficult for him to deal with because JoAnn, was his favorite student, just as I was Ms. Becker’s favorite student. I have FOND memories of Geneva. Nothing bad happened to me while I was there. I felt safe, protected, and LOVED.
#3 | Written by Glenda Geister on June 15, 2011. Reply

Cheri, I am interested in the early history of the Geneva School for Girls. My grandmother and her sister were listed as inmates there in the 1910 census. My grandmother never mentioned it. She only talked about being sent to Catholic boarding school. Do you have any information of the early days of this establishment?
- #4 | Written by Cherie Bombell on June 16, 2011. Reply
  
  1910! Wow, I don’t have any information about that far back but the Geneva History Center has some earlier pictures and possibly historical info. Glenda, your interest proves the importance of people writing their stories and leaving a legacy for their ancesters. I get the impression that young girls didn’t have to do anything criminal to be sent there – it didn’t take much to end up in Geneva. Did you see the post ‘Geneva History Center’ where I mention a book by Dr Rembis? That book might give you an insight into why your grandmother and grandaunt were sent there and what it would have been like back then. It’s such a shame we’ve lost the history she held but I can also understand the experience could have been traumatic for her. Thank you so much for commenting. Please keep us posted about any information you find out and your thoughts about your grandmother if you’d like to share. I hope we hear from you again, Glenda.
#5 | Written by Iri on July 25, 2010. Reply

Thank you Cherie for creating this website and giving people the opportunity to tell their stories. They are stories that need to be told, and stories that need to be heard. Nice work
- #6 | Written by Cherie Bombell on July 26, 2010. Reply
  
  You’re so right, Iri, these women need to be heard. They have been incredibly courageous to relive their traumas and share with us. Thanks for visiting, Iri. Hope to hear from you again.

Cherie Livett Bombell

Your Legacy

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