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Nashville, TN – History yields to all types of mothers. Helena Augusta, abandoned single mother of Constantine, helped forever change Christianity. Widowed single mother Belva Lockwood would become the first female presidential candidate in 1884. And Harriet Jacobs, a slave, chose to live in a small airless attic for 7 years so her children could have freedom while diligently fighting for her own freedom and her children's safety.
History is peppered with stories like these women, single mothers that have persevered for the sake of their children and to better their lives. Twelve women are chronicled in a new book by Northern Exposure actress and three-time Golden Globe nominee Janine Turner titled Holding Her Head High: Inspiration from 12 Single Mothers Who Championed Their Children and Changed History (Thomas Nelson Publishers, ISBN 978-0-7852-2324-5, March 2008, 350 pages, $22.99 Hardcover).
Turner, also a single mother, examines the lives of these women and explores how they advocated for their children to make a difference. During her research, Turner scoured thousands of historical documents to unearth proof of the impact these single mothers had.
“These women didn’t just raise their children,” Turner emphatically declares. “They raised their nations.” She goes on to add, “I find their voices to be amazingly modern, no matter the era”. And cross many eras they do. Stories span from the Roman Empire, travel through medieval times, and even recount the stories of pioneers in 18th century America. Turner details the behind-the-scenes lives of some of most influential Americans in history.
Holding Her Head High skillfully documents how these twelve women demonstrated strength, dedication, and commitment, with a robust vision of moving ahead. These stories will be inspirational to all generations who enjoy uplifting messages from a historical perspective.
JANINE TURNER QUOTES FROM HOLDING HER HEAD HIGH
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“These women rose from the ashes like a phoenix and became glorious stewards of their wounds.”
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“They didn’t set out to change history. They did it by merely trying to survive with dignity, faith and compassion. In the process, they left their indelible marks on history.”
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“I find their voices to be amazingly modern, no matter the era”
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“These women not only had a message about motherhood. They had a message about life.”
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“They propelled the issues of their particular battles into progressive movements.”
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“These women didn’t just raise their children. They raised their nations.”
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“These single mothers succeeded in life, in spite of life.”
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“They championed their children and changed history because they walked into the winds of destiny holding their heads high.”
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“These women turned tribulations into triumphs, championed their children and changed history.”
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“God sees eternity in perspective.”
FOR WOMEN
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“Within you lie the seeds of stamina, breadth of talents and abilities beyond your wildest imagination.”
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“Within you is the magic that molds our nation.”
FOR MOTHERS
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“You are a mother. You have a gift. Find it, keep it, share it with your children.. Illuminate their path. You are their hope.”
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“If you are a single mother, you’re not alone. History provides the warmth and comfort of women who have done it successfully before you.”
About The Author:
Jannie Turner, a native Texan, is probably best known for her role as ‘Maggie O'Connell' in the Emmy Award - winning CBS series, “Northern Exposure”. She also starred in the Lifetime series, “Strong Medicine” and more recently produced and directed the short film, “Trip in a Summer Dress,” which starred her young daughter, Juliette. For the film, she won Best Director of a Short Film at the Deep Ellum Film Festival. In 2006, she starred opposite Tom Wilkinson in the Indie Film “Night of the White Pants.” She currently stars in the Lifetime Television film “Primal Doubt”. Additional credits include, Christoga, which combines yoga moves with Christian meditation. She not only starred in the video but also co-produced and sang an original song that she wrote just for the film.
Turner can now add author to her resume. A single mother since her daughter was born, she spent the last year researching twelve extraordinary single women from history and has chronicled them in her new book Holding Her Head High. The book is published by Thomas Nelson and is scheduled to release on March 2, 2008.
Janine developed a love of the arts at a young age. When she was three, her family moved to Euless, Texas, where Janine studied acting and dance. In junior high, she began an apprenticeship with the Fort Worth Ballet and established a successful modeling career in Dallas, which in-turn led to her signing with the well-known Wilhelmina Modeling Agency in New York. At the young age of fifteen, Janine was the modeling agency’s youngest client.
While continuing to model in New York, she also attended the Professional Children’s School. One year late, she moved back to Texas and landed a recurring role on the hit television series, “Dallas”. At that time, Janine made the decision to graduate from high school a year early, give up modeling, and move to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career.
New to Los Angeles, she landed a starring role on the late-night CBS soap “Behind The Screen,” spent a year on the long-running, “General Hospital” as 'Laura Templeton,' and appeared in the feature film, “Young Doctors in Love.” After leaving “General Hospital,” Janine traveled to China for ten weeks for a co-starring role in Dino DeLaurentis' “Tai-Pan,” and upon completion of the film, moved back to New York City to continue her theatrical studies.
In New York, Janine studied with Marcia Haufrecht of The Actor's Studio and began working off-Broadway. She starred in The Ensemble Studio Theatre production of “Full Moon High Tide in The Ladies Room,” and performed with the avant-garde theatre group, The Common Ground Theatre. During this time, she also held a supporting role in George Romero's “Monkey Shines,” and had a memorable turn as Olympia Dukakis' niece, 'Nancy Beth Marmilion,' in the acclaimed feature film, “Steel Magnolias.”
Janine then made a return to television with a co-starring role as “Maggie O’Connell” in the hit CBS series, “Northern Exposure” where she earned an Emmy nomination and three Golden Globe Award nominations for best actress in a drama series. During this time, Janine was named one of People magazine's “50 Most Beautiful People,” and one of Esquire magazine's “Women We Love.” In 1992, she received the Women At Work Award from the National Commission on Working Women.
During a hiatus from “Northern Exposure,” Janine flew to the Italian Alps to play a starring role opposite Sylvester Stallone in Columbia Tri-Star's international blockbuster, “Cliffhanger.” Additional film credits include a starring role in “Curse of the Inferno,” as 'June Cleaver' in Universal's “Leave It To Beaver,” and in Robert Altman's feature film, “Dr. T and the Women.”
Turner has also starred in a number of highly-rated films for television. She starred opposite Jamie Sheridan and Hal Holbrook in the CBS telefilm, “Beauty,” a CBS movie “Stolen Women,” “Circle of Deceit” for ABC, “Fatal Error,” a TBS original film, and “Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Secret Affair.”
Turner recently moved from her ranch in Texas to New York City with her daughter Juliette.
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