Shunned Amish Woman interview-Mary

This is my friend Mary and I’m so very proud of her!!! I’m so glad she is speaking and educating us.

“You want to keep knitting” “It’s CROCHET” Every crocheter just fist bumped the air 😁

Mary is one strong woman. Her meditative crocheting, her gentle speech, her rising above a repressive culture. She is courageous.

My Dad was the sheriff in Vernon County Wisconsin when this went down. I just showed my Dad this video and he would love to talk to you, Mary. He is so proud of you and how much you've grown. Reach out if you feel comfortable. He fought so hard for you

That dress is the most incredible act of rebellion and joy I have ever seen. Truly inspiring.

Mark. Might be the single most compelling interview you've done. The use of color, the use of silence and pauses and just letting her talk with little intervention. A riveting story and experience .Absolutely amazing stuff here.

I’ve never heard someone speak so softly and so loud at the same time. What a beautiful and intelligent warrior this woman is! One of my favorite interviews so far!! Thank you, Mary! We see you, we hear you, we support you! 🩷

Shes a perfect example of how soft spoken people can have the loudest voices ❤ i love her

"people who are committing suicide... or, perhaps that's not quite the right way to say that, maybe they're dying /from/ suicide because OF the lack of access to appropriate resources" that was a such a profound correction she decided to put in. It really resonated with me as someone who has tried to take my own life, it's a perspective shift I've never seen anyone make before, it's a powerfully helpful way of broaching the topic of suicide.

“Religious language around crimes affects how we talk about it.” I really appreciate that sentiment. It was healing.

My family did the same to my sister and I. We were also shunned and disowned and my aunt hated us for bringing the law onto my uncle. Hes in jail now. Mary - thank you for sharing your story ❤ You are beautiful in your freedom dress.

"Is this a thing where religious language around crimes affects how we think about it, and how we talk about it" She is so insightful! I'm grateful she is free to speak her mind.

I grew up in a big abusive Mormon family with tons of sexual abuse, and she makes me feel so seen and understood. I feel her. I see her. Thank you for this video. She is very diplomatic and fair. She is genuine and honest. In all her grief, she hasn’t hardened her heart, she’s softened it.

Thank you Mark for allowing her silences and not immediately jumping in with questions. You gave her the space and time she needed. ❤

I followed this story , I’m from Indiana and my wife and I taxi the Amish and believe me you can have an Amish girl from a family in a city 200 miles away that have never met one another and there kids look identical ! This lady went thru hell and back and all over again and these people knew the truth and knew that her own brothers were as guilty as sin but thru the court proceedings they actually bused in hundreds of Amish to back the guilty brothers . Filled the entire court room ! The judge felt so bad for her that he all but ripped the family , brothers, and people in the court room about how they backed those boys or men and had zero support for her ! Buss loads ! Sick that’s all I can say just sick . You have our support and keep you positive attitude stand strong and she isn’t letting them get her down ! And that’s way she didn’t elaborate on what they did to her ! Good job !

that black and white headshot 33:59, those eyes... there's a profound sadness in those eyes and even as she explained the horrors forced upon her I can't even fathom a single iota of the strength she has to continue living when your LITERAL ENTIRE world conspires against you in malice. I truly do wish the best for her

What strikes me deeply is Mary's body language and tone of voice. When she's talking about her family and Amish cultures and experiences, she's very soft-spoken and words chosen carefully and gently rocking her body. However, when she started talking about coming out and especially her dress that she made, her light shines. Physically, she sits taller, her face is light and happy, and her tone is full of joy and excitement to show what she made. I was abused as a child, and my mother was abused far worse than me when she was a child. My mother rocks herself that way, too. These things can be very difficult to talk about. Thank you, Mary, for sharing your story.

It is SO COOL that she literally reclaimed her heritage in her own individual way. She is so inspiring.

I love how, the more she speaks, the more animated and comfortable and vibrant she becomes. After the halfway point, she just blossoms! She even sets aside her crocheting for a moment, perhaps not needing its meditative help as she just shares about herself and her explorations and her beautiful new life. My favorite part is when she's so adorably proud of the rules she feels she breaks with her existence, like the "fancy" stitching on the dress she made.

It’s really soothing to listen to her speak while she’s crocheting. It’s her way to self soothe and I’m glad she’s found tools to give her peace.