Raccoon Girl Rising
When she was twenty-one, Jenna got a tattoo of a women’s symbol with a fist in the middle of it. To her it represented her anger at the injustice women experience, especially sexual violence. A former partner refused to acknowledge that the tattoo included a fist, explaining to others it was a raccoon instead. Over time, as Jenna actively worked on healing from personal and generational trauma, she fought to create and hold boundaries that required others to treat her with respect. She was no longer the dutiful “raccoon girl” but instead someone who could look back on the traumatic events marking her history and move forward not only as someone intent on changing the world, but also honoring herself. Raccoon Girl Rising recounts the hidden trauma affecting multiple generations within a family, and how it is possible to find peace.
Jenna Baker
Early in her life, Dr. Jenna Baker experienced how the systems designed to support individuals often failed them. Armed with a relentless drive and an unwavering dedication to lessen the emotional pain of others, Jenna has invested the last 35 years working to build more accountable systems able to support those individuals whose lives have been impacted by trauma and mental illness. Starting as a domestic violence weekend shelter relief worker at 19, and a rape crisis advocate at 21, and as a proud social worker, Jenna has held four politically appointed positions and served as chief executive of three non-profit entities. Recognized as the NASW Chief Executive of the Year for her tenure with NASW-PA, and for building a platinum-certified CIT Program while CEO of NAMI Maine, Jenna’s passion is empowering the voices of those with lived experience to transform how we ensure individuals living with trauma and/or mental illness are valued and respected. Raccoon Girl Rising is her first memoir.