For Mothers and Others: Opening Night of the Berkshire Festival for Women Writers

Rachel Louchen reports from Sheffield. Great mothers and great writers packed the house for the opening night of the Berkshire Festival for Women Writers on Friday, March 1. Out of the Mouths of Babes: An Evening of Mothers Reading to Others, also celebrated the book launch of An Anthology of Babes compiled and edited by Suzi Banks Baum, who, along with six other women, spoke about their sometimes difficult journey through motherhood and how parenting impacts their writing in the process. Mixing equal parts humor with sorrow, the audience was enthralled with each story from Michelle Gillet's observations of her daughter becoming a nervous parent to Jenny Laird's heartbreaking experience in the NICU when her newborn son was ill. More than 150 woman will volunteer their time and talents for the third year of the festival, which continues over the course of the month. Director Jennifer Browdy de Hernandez says the goal of the festival is to “create a nurturing, warm, and supportive space for women in the Berkshires to open up with what's in their hearts." Considering the night's theme, that mission statement rang true. At left, Artist Gabrielle Senza and Amy Taylor.

Carol Parrish of New Marlborough with Sarah Nicholson of Egremont; Ed and Judy Kaplan of Great Barrington plan to attend many of the festival's events.

Jennifer Browdy de Hernandez and festival committee member, Judith Nardacci;Naomi Blumenthal with friend, Christine Casarsa.

Three of the participants; Alana Chernila, Janet Reich Elsbach, and RI's Nichole Dupont.

Michelle Gillet and Jenny Laird each touched on difficulties of motherhood;.

Christine Casara with Trice Atchison; Stephanie Campbell, started off the night performing a song, here with audience member Jennifer Clark.

Andrew Krouss with his wife, festival representative Lorrin Krouss, and Michelena Mastrianni with her mother, radio host Serene Mastrianni.