Raccoon Girl Rising
When she was twenty-one, Jennifer 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 Jennifer 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.
Jennifer Baker
Jennifer Baker is driven by the impact of intergenerational trauma to build more responsive systems and services. As a macro social worker, Dr. Baker works to understand challenges from a person-first perspective that honors the dignity and worth of people. In addition to holding several direct practice roles, she has led three behavioral health-focused non-profit entities and four politically appointed policy positions. She proudly holds an undergraduate degree in women's studies, a master's degree in social work, and a doctorate in public administration. She shares her story in hopes that others feel less alone. Raccoon Girl Rising is her first memoir.