Overview

"What an adventure I have had converting from a typical Southern Jewish American Princess into an honored civil rights activist. After Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in my town, I started calling my maid ""Mrs."" -- while my husband and children didn't. The family's prominence in business gave me the security to change. Born in 1940, I hit adulthood in Memphis during its 1960s turmoil. My value system was turned upside down. I tried to straddle the life I was reared to live and the life that was revolting against the former me. A second sanitation workers strike was threatened for July 1969. July, as in flies! The mayor and the union were at an impasse. Enter the women! I found myself leading a march on city hall and demanding resolution, pretty darn well. The sanitation workers and the city deserved better. I got divorced, became an attorney, started mediation in Memphis, and founded an award-winning human relations organization, the Memphis Panel of American Women. From Memphis to the State House to the White House, this book charts my journey through sacrifice, even death, but also crazy situations and funny incidents. I learned ""HTSFIAMI."" Read the book to find out what it means. Along this path, I have walked beside some incredible people. The balance sheet is positive. There was new insight, new friends, and new values, banjo picking, and an old crush -- who loves me still today."

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9780996345866

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Reviews

"""Jocie is a delightful memoir of a brave, talented and sassy Southern woman. Her dedication to civil rights and a just America should inspire and challenge us all."" - Carolyn Cerbin, Senior News Editor/USA TODAY NETWORK NATIONAL NEWS DESK ""The intriguing life story of this former conservative, gun-shooting product of the segregated South represents the coalition of decency that is trying to transform America into a more just society. Perhaps this fascinating and delightful book will help evoke such a spirit, so desperately needed at this moment in our nation's history."" -- Rabbi David Saperstein, (Former) U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Director Emeritus, Religious Action center of Reform Judaism. ""In 1979 with six months' notice, Jocie insisted that the national Reform Jewish Movement shift abruptly its 3,000-leader convention from Chicago because ""Illinois won't pass the Equal Rights Amendment. We can't go there!"" Friends ever since, I am thrilled to see Jocie replete with humorous and inspiring stories capturing her role in the great struggles for social justice."" -- Al Vorspan, Senior Vice President Emeritus, Union for Reform Judaism ""Jocie is a lovely, thoughtful account of a different time when many of us were searching and of the journey that allowed some of us risk-takers to survive in wonderful and unexpected ways. Thank you for sharing the light."" -- Carol Berz, LSCW, JD, PhD, Private Dispute Resolution Services, LLC. Chattanooga City Council Chair. ""Come, have a conversation with Jocie Wurzburg, for that's how this charming collection reads. From suburban Jewish housewife to a leading Civil Rights activist in Memphis to a legal mediator, music buff, and politico, Jocie will engage and delight you."" -- Gail S.Murray, emerita professor of history, Rhodes College, and author of Throwing Off the Cloak of Privilege: White Southern Women Activist in the Civil Rights Era ""What a great read! Jocie's life reflects the ups and downs of our history and she tells it in the most compelling way. Highly recommend this book!"" -- Paula F. Casey, Speaker and Publisher, The Perfect 36: Tennessee Delivers Woman Suffrage"

Jocie is a delightful memoir of a brave, talented and sassy Southern woman. Her dedication to civil rights and a just America should inspire and challenge us all. - Carolyn Cerbin, Senior News Editor/USA TODAY NETWORK NATIONAL NEWS DESK The intriguing life story of this former conservative, gun-shooting product of the segregated South represents the coalition of decency that is trying to transform America into a more just society. Perhaps this fascinating and delightful book will help evoke such a spirit, so desperately needed at this moment in our nation's history. -- Rabbi David Saperstein, (Former) U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Director Emeritus, Religious Action center of Reform Judaism. In 1979 with six months' notice, Jocie insisted that the national Reform Jewish Movement shift abruptly its 3,000-leader convention from Chicago because Illinois won't pass the Equal Rights Amendment. We can't go there! Friends ever since, I am thrilled to see Jocie replete with humorous and inspiring stories capturing her role in the great struggles for social justice. -- Al Vorspan, Senior Vice President Emeritus, Union for Reform Judaism Jocie is a lovely, thoughtful account of a different time when many of us were searching and of the journey that allowed some of us risk-takers to survive in wonderful and unexpected ways. Thank you for sharing the light. -- Carol Berz, LSCW, JD, PhD, Private Dispute Resolution Services, LLC. Chattanooga City Council Chair. Come, have a conversation with Jocie Wurzburg, for that's how this charming collection reads. From suburban Jewish housewife to a leading Civil Rights activist in Memphis to a legal mediator, music buff, and politico, Jocie will engage and delight you. -- Gail S.Murray, emerita professor of history, Rhodes College, and author of Throwing Off the Cloak of Privilege: White Southern Women Activist in the Civil Rights Era What a great read! Jocie's life reflects the ups and downs of our history and she tells it in the most compelling way. Highly recommend this book! -- Paula F. Casey, Speaker and Publisher, The Perfect 36: Tennessee Delivers Woman Suffrage

Author Information

"Jocelyn Dan Wurzburg grew up in Memphis going to Vollentine, Snowden, Central, then Rhodes College where she received her B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology; J.D. from University of Memphis. A fifth generation Memphian, married with three children, she thought her life was set - until the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in 1968 shattered her belief system. That was a transformative event that raised her consciousness to racism and its role in society. She founded the local Panel of American Women that year to address prejudice and celebrate differences. She started the Concerned Women of Memphis and Shelby County, credited with averting a second sanitation workers' strike a year after Dr. King's death. Jocelyn jumped into civil rights, women's rights, and social justice activities serving on the Social Action Commission of Reform Judaism. President Gerald Ford appointed her to the International Women's Year Commission, and she served Governor Winfield Dunn on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, where she wrote Tennessee's first anti-discrimination law in employment, public accommodations, and housing. At age 35, Jocie went to law school hoping to be more effective in her ""causes."" After four divorce trials, she pursued mediation as a saner process, becoming Memphis' first professional mediator. She founded the Mediation Association of Tennessee despite resistance to mediation by the bench and bar. She helped start the Association for Women Attorneys and chaired the Family Law and the ADR sections of the Memphis Bar Association. Devoted to jazz, she founded the Jazz Society of Memphis, feeling music could bring people together. Senior Partner, The HillHelen Group Publishing Co.; editor, award-winning journalist for 30 years; former English teacher; graduate, Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy 2010-2011; Sterling Awards: 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee 2014. Senior Partner, The HillHelen Group Publishing Co.; former newspaper publisher, editor, freelancer for 25 years; professional photographer; specialty, information technology."

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