Celebrating the Bright Tiger by Melissa Redwin & Cynthia Mochowski

Earlier this year, Survivor Theatre Project lost our first survivor/artist. Elisabeth Ann Morrison of Cambridge, Massachusetts died on April 10, 2013. Elisabeth joined Survivor Theatre Project in 2010 to create and perform Memories of Trees, a play based on stories of women survivors of sexual abuse. Elisabeth took her own life at the age of 56.  As members of STP we are deeply saddened by her sudden departure and we join her family and friends to celebrate her many accomplishments.

Elisabeth Morrison was a Buddhist, a social activist, and a lover of dogs and cats. She was a member of the first Dartmouth College class to include women. After graduation, she moved to Cambridge and took up union organizing with office workers at Boston University.  She received her law degree from Northeastern Law School. Her primary focus as an attorney was the welfare of abused children. Elisabeth’s Buddhist daily practice grounded and sustained her life-long efforts to relieve suffering and make the world a better and kinder place.

Survivor Theatre project alumna Antonieta Gimeno remembers Elisabeth:

“Elisabeth lived her life as a warrior. She did not allow herself to be defined by mental illness, but by her deep sense of justice, integrity, compassion and love. Her sweet and gentle spirit was always a reminder, particularly for those of us who live with depression and trauma, that life is an opportunity in the face of pain and challenges. Her presence always reminded me of a gentle and clear pool of water where I could reflect my own life. We love you and honor you Elisabeth.”

Elisabeth did not share very much about her trauma history during our theatre process together, but I believe she found in STP a place to be herself, to be wacky and outlandish, and to creatively express her values and hopes for a world based in respect, love and peace. We will remember most her keen sensitivity to others, her soulful wit, her vulnerability, and her serene and dynamic poetry performances. Elisabeth will remain beloved to those of us at STP, and we will continue to be inspired by our “Bright Tiger.”

Bright beautiful tiger

beckoning Little Beth and Elisabeth:

summon up even more bravery

by believing in yourself      - Elisabeth Morrison

If you wish to honor Elisabeth’s life with a gift, friends and family would appreciate donations to SGI-USA in Elisabeth Morrison’s name, to Boston Community Center of SGI-USA, 930 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston 02215.

UNDERSTANDING THE AFTERMATH

Victims of sexual assault are:

3 times more likely to suffer from depression.

6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.

26 times more likely to abuse drugs.

4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

These and many more statistics can be found at:  http://www.rainn.org.

More research is desperately needed to understand how deeply connected childhood sexual abuse, sex trafficking, ritual abuse, incest and other types of sexual violence are linked to suicide. More safe spaces are needed in social services for those people who have extreme traumatic abuse histories. Survivors of extreme abuse are often silenced and isolated in support groups and survivor spaces, when other survivors become unable to hear to their stories. Where can they go? Where can they be heard and understood?

If you are interested in working with Survivor Theatre Project in creating performances that build awareness around sexual abuse and violence, please contact us!  survivortheatreproject@gmail.com