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Divine Intervention
Growing up in blue collar Baltimore in the socially rigid 1950’s groomed me for a life I did not want. My parents, conservative and religious, saw no academic future for me but felt that secretarial work, marriage and children were proper goals for a decently raised young woman.
I longed to escape the impending doom of an office job where I would struggle with shorthand and my dress size for the rest of my life. A one-year scholarship to art school opened the door to new possibilities, and though timid and insecure, I left my parent’s home, moving to a shabby downtown apartment building where I met a group of eccentric new friends - including not-yet-famous drag queen Divine –who helped me move past my fears and insecurities, ditch my plain-Jane looks, and create a new future.
This memoir occurs against the backdrop of funky pre-revival Baltimore and the social upheaval of 1960’s America and includes some interesting Baltimore history. An example: our Marlborough apartments were on the same floor as the old Cone sister’s apartments, once home to the massive art collection now in the Baltimore Museum of Art and where Etta Cone was visited by Henri Matisse in 1930. I've also included photos and memorabilia from that time.
I longed to escape the impending doom of an office job where I would struggle with shorthand and my dress size for the rest of my life. A one-year scholarship to art school opened the door to new possibilities, and though timid and insecure, I left my parent’s home, moving to a shabby downtown apartment building where I met a group of eccentric new friends - including not-yet-famous drag queen Divine –who helped me move past my fears and insecurities, ditch my plain-Jane looks, and create a new future.
This memoir occurs against the backdrop of funky pre-revival Baltimore and the social upheaval of 1960’s America and includes some interesting Baltimore history. An example: our Marlborough apartments were on the same floor as the old Cone sister’s apartments, once home to the massive art collection now in the Baltimore Museum of Art and where Etta Cone was visited by Henri Matisse in 1930. I've also included photos and memorabilia from that time.
- GenresMemoir
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2021
5 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Janet Freedman
2 books15 followersI grew up in blue collar East Baltimore and by a sheer stroke of luck was able to continue my education past high school. I've been a practicing artist for over 50 years and have written a screenplay and two books.
I'm married with two adult children, and though now retired, I've held a variety of jobs in addition to being a lifelong artist and dabbler in words. My work can be viewed at my website: www.studioprose.com.
Education: MLA, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; BFA, (major: painting); Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
Books: Kent Island the Land That Once Was Eden, ISBN 0-938420-84-4
Divine Intervention A Memoir, ISBN 9798592818783/ASIN: B08SVRPWD2
Recipient of Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award & prize in Playwriting for The Marlborough (screenplay) , 2007
I'm married with two adult children, and though now retired, I've held a variety of jobs in addition to being a lifelong artist and dabbler in words. My work can be viewed at my website: www.studioprose.com.
Education: MLA, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; BFA, (major: painting); Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
Books: Kent Island the Land That Once Was Eden, ISBN 0-938420-84-4
Divine Intervention A Memoir, ISBN 9798592818783/ASIN: B08SVRPWD2
Recipient of Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award & prize in Playwriting for The Marlborough (screenplay) , 2007
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I was confused at first because I thought it was about Divine. When I realized it was Janet Freedman's memoir it made more sense. She's a few years older than I am but it took me back to my youth. My friends older brothers and sisters were coming of age at the same time as she did. They had similar tales.
The book did an excellent job of describing the sense of community and adventure. I enjoyed the descriptions of the places she lived (and trespassed in). Janet made lifelong friends; that says something about a person. I think I would like her.
The book did an excellent job of describing the sense of community and adventure. I enjoyed the descriptions of the places she lived (and trespassed in). Janet made lifelong friends; that says something about a person. I think I would like her.
March 17, 2021
I wasn’t sure what to think with the cover but I was excited.
I loved the theme of growing up and growing out of your own shell with the help of those that magically come to surround us through our adventures even as you grow older and distance may separate friends. Friends become our family too and that builds us into our future self.
Fun memoir to read, we all need some Divine intervention !
I was fortunate to win this e book as part
Of a Goodreads giveaway !
I loved the theme of growing up and growing out of your own shell with the help of those that magically come to surround us through our adventures even as you grow older and distance may separate friends. Friends become our family too and that builds us into our future self.
Fun memoir to read, we all need some Divine intervention !
I was fortunate to win this e book as part
Of a Goodreads giveaway !
May 19, 2021
A fun book for fans of Divine/John Waters that offers a unique perspective of someone who mingled with Dreamlanders, but didn't take part in their cinematic mayhem.
May 31, 2023
Not what I was expecting, hardly even talked about Divine! I'm honestly not sure what Divine is on the cover. Hope his estate gets paid from this at least! Not worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews