As a charter member of the State of Franklin Homeschoolers I thought I might share a bit of the history of the group. I started officially homeschooling, meaning I registered my son with Sullivan County for kindergarten, for the 91-92 school year. Graham was 5 and my daughter, Charlotte was18 months old. There were not many homeschooling groups at that time and so few homeschoolers that those of us who were homeschooling were happy to meet others who were also taking this unusual path.
After a few years of feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the existing groups and being treated rudely by some people who had religious beliefs that could not accept differences, a small number of people who had kept a low profile for fear of being ostracized by the larger group, found we each were not the only one who had kept silent and wanted an inclusive group.
Kris Rosolina, Carolyn Barry, Lucinda Flodin, myself and, a few others whom I can not remember off the top of my head, decided that we needed a group that was open to all homeschoolers . We soon chose a name and decided that SOFH would be open to all homeschoolers regardless of race, religion, creed or educational philosophies.
5 comments:
Betty, I appreciate your addition to the blog. Your perseverance in creating the group has resulted in a valuable resource to this community. Thank goodness SOFH is here.
Thanks for sharing this bit of history. Nice!
Cool to read the history before I even get to the first meeting :D
wow, i had no idea you were one of the founders. very cool.
i wonder how different things would be without SOFH!!!
I still remember going to a LLL meeting in Abingdon and Sarah was out and Betty subbing for her as leader and she mentioned SOFH to me that day. I was glad to hear there was an inclusive group in the area even though I've always been the person in it from furthest away it seems.
I actually knew Lucinda through other channels and I called her and wouldn't tell her husband who I was and he hung up on me! LOL! Anyway, I made my first meeting in May 1996, which was also Lucinda's last meeting. I sure do miss seeing Kris and Sue and others, but it is always great to meet new folks too.
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