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We're constantly looking for new ways to integrate inspiration in the daily lives of Precious Moms everywhere and sometimes the boost you're looking for is just a page away! Our new author interview series, By the Book, profiles great new books and the authors behind them. This month, learn more about Janine Turner and her book that intertwines history, faith and the lives of 12 strong and courageous single mothers.

Janine Turner is best known as an accomplished actress with an array of movies and hit television series including Northern Exposure and Strong Medicine.  Now Janine can proudly add author to that impressive list.  In her new book, “Holding Her Head High: 12 Single Mothers Who Championed Their Children and Changed History,” Janine writes about 12 courageous mothers who not only survived, but thrived despite their trying circumstances.  By framing each chapter with the timeless scenario of each mother, offering life lessons and peppering it with aspects of her own struggles as a single mother, Janine provides a historical perspective on single mothers through the centuries with refreshing modern-day relevance.

Learn more about the book in our Q&A with Janine Turner:

PM: You are best known for your roles as an actress, how did you decide to turn your efforts to writing?
I really feel that God inspired me to write this book. I am a single mother myself and I wanted to write a book about single mothers so that we would realize we’re not alone.  As I was researching I learned that almost half of mothers in America today are single mothers.  According to the 2003 Census Bureau report 43% of women are single mothers – and that statistic hovers closer to 46% today – that’s almost half of the mothers in America today.  And I also learned that the definition of a single mother is broad – it can mean widowed, divorced, abandoned – some by choice, but most were circumstantial.  I have always been drawn toward biographies – and I wanted to be a source of hope and inspiration and draw from real-life experiences.  

PM:  We think of single motherhood to be a modern-day phenomenon – were you surprised to find so many single mothers dating back 18 centuries?
When the concept of profiling single mothers through history first came to me, I was concerned that I would not be able to find enough single mothers or enough material about them.  I was amazed that there were so many single mothers spanning the centuries.  Once I started writing I realized that not only did these women champion their children, they also changed history.  And even though the playing fields of history have changed through the years, the emotions are very much the same.  I view these women as our foremothers reaching out from history to mentor us – they are the “Go Girls” of history!

PM:  How did you ultimately choose these 12 single mothers?
There were so many fabulous women to choose from, but these 12 all had a few outstanding characteristics in common.  First they all had a strong foundation of faith which they drew upon throughout their struggles, second they all championed their children and they were all stewards of their wounds– in other words they turned tribulations into triumphs.  Through faith and a zealous determination, they all found the purpose in their pain and twisted it to be of service to others..  In the process, they changed history – all of these women were the firsts in their fields: the first woman to formally run for president, the first woman to cultivate indigo, etc.  Each of the women in the book not only had a message about motherhood, they had a message about life.  The women in the book rose up from extremely desperate situations and I wanted mothers today to see, if they did it, I can do it too!   
 

PM: What is Your Interpretation of the title “Holding Her Head High”?
Holding Her Head High was originally the subtitle for the chapter on Rachel Lavein Fawcett, Alexander Hamilton’s mother, who was slandered and abandoned by her husband.  Rachel ultimately returned to the town where she had been unjustly imprisoned and labeled a whore with her head held high.  She made a choice not to let the judgements of others define her self-worth.  Her message resonated with me so strongly and I felt it was so important that I made it the title of the book.  Then I realized that each of these women made a conscious decision to hold her head high, to focus on the path to the future and define her own destiny, not letting anything or anyone crush her spirit.    
 

PM: These women, whether they realized it or not, really set an example for their children.  How can we do that today?
As parents we still serve as the most influential example in our child’s life.  Children watch, listen and learn – so we must lead by example.  When we put God first, they will understand the importance of faith.  By showing them how we pick ourselves up and move forward, children will learn how to cope with difficult times.  Life deals us cards beyond our control and it’s how we deal with them that’s important. The actions of our lives are reflected in our children.  And if we show them that attaining our dreams is our destiny, then they will continue to reach for theirs. 

PM: How have you dealt with the challenges you face as a single mother?
I left a successful television series in Hollywood and moved back to Texas when my daughter was just 4 years old in order to ensure that she would have a foundation of faith and family.  That was a very difficult decision for me, but I knew it was the best choice for my daughter.  I relied heavily on my faith.  I truly believe that faith is an absolute necessity for children; it gives their lives meaning and purpose.  But even though I knew this was the best decision for my daughter, I still struggled with how I was going to provide for her and give her the life I wanted her to have.  During these times, I always turn to God.  I rely on Him for coping and guidance I need in dealing with the complexities of motherhood – spiritually, emotionally, financially and physically.  If my life had followed a different path, I might not have such a rich friendship with God that I have enjoyed, and my daughter has as well.    

PM:  Throughout the book, you often refer to the flame inside all of us.  How can single moms, and all mothers, who are dealing with the tasks of day to day life find that flame?
I do believe that God has given each of us a flame.  We all have a destiny and a higher purpose for being here and we need to find those gifts and talents and listen to God’s calling.  It’s important to remember that God sees eternity in perspective, so don’t give up before the miracle.  We need to be patient.  For these women in the book, their process of discovery did not happen overnight.  It is hard when you’re dealing with the laundry list of to do’s, but God reveals himself and speaks to us all the time.  He reveals Himself all the time, it just may not be how, when or where we are expecting it.  He seems to speak to me most at 4:00 am!  In our go, go, go lifestyle, we need to remember to be quiet.  Whatever difficulties you’re facing, question why and find the purpose in the pain. 

PM: How did writing this book affect you?
The women in this book inspired me beyond belief and filled me with renewed energy and enthusiasm about my destiny in life as a mother and a woman.  While writing the book, I had been living in Texas raising my daughter and doing some entrepreneurial side projects, but mostly being mom.  And with each chapter of the book, I grew more and more inspired.  Belva Lockwood, who took her child with her everywhere and never once thought she was doing her daughter a disservice, is just one example.  I, of course thought of my own daughter, and realized that by not limiting my vision, I would not limit hers. When I finished her chapter, I literally closed the book and said to Juliette, “Let’s move to New York City!”  I realized that if I fulfilled my destiny, she would be enriched as well.  It is an incredible gift to show our children that we can be who we are destined to be. 

PM: At the end of the day, you are a working single mom, how do you maintain your focus and stay grounded?
I believe that faith is everything.  I get on my knees every morning and every night to pray, and I read the Bible with my daughter. We read it aloud which gives the content much more life – we have a lot of fun with Paul, he was so dramatic!  And at the end of the day, my daughter and I assess our day…what was good?  What could we have done better?  I am getting ready to start filming a movie, but I always put God first and my daughter is first in this worldly world of ours.

To learn more or to purchase the book visit: www.HoldingHerHeadHigh.com