Eileen Harrison Sanchez Illuminates History And Resilience Through Freedom Lessons

PHOTO: Author Eileen Harrison Sanchez, whose debut novel Freedom Lessons captures the spirit of change, resilience, and the enduring fight for equality.

A Journey Of Memory, Identity, And Storytelling

Eileen Harrison Sanchez shares the inspiration behind Freedom Lessons, exploring school integration, historical accuracy, diverse perspectives, and resilience. She reflects on her writing journey, community support, and the timeless relevance of identity and change.

Eileen Harrison Sanchez has captivated readers with her debut novel Freedom Lessons, a poignant exploration of a pivotal moment in American history. A retired educator with first-hand experience teaching in Louisiana during the late 1960s, she blends personal memory with meticulous research to illuminate the complexities of school integration. Her love of storytelling, family, and life’s simple joys—such as travelling and birdwatching—shines through her work, offering inspiration to readers of all generations.

“My life experiences have proven to me that we are more alike than different.” – Eileen Harrison Sanchez

Inspiration From Lived Experience

The closure of the segregated Black school where Sanchez taught in 1969 became the spark for Freedom Lessons. She recalls how a friend encouraged her to share this significant historical moment, leading her to transform memories into fiction enriched by research. Newspaper archives, doctoral dissertations, and interviews helped her balance factual accuracy with the creative demands of storytelling.

Writing From Multiple Perspectives

Sanchez’s novel presents three distinct characters—Colleen, Frank, and Evelyn—whose voices highlight the shared values of family, identity, and resilience. Writing from perspectives outside her own, particularly Black characters, required deep research and sensitivity. With feedback from Black authors, Sanchez ensured that these portrayals were authentic and respectful.

Lessons That Resonate Today

Though set in the 1960s, the novel’s themes remain strikingly relevant. Sanchez reflects on how the struggle for desegregation echoes in today’s education debates. While laws protect civil rights, she reminds readers that true change comes from individuals: “People do, I can, I have. We must move forward.”

Finding Strength In Community

Writing gave Sanchez the voice she lacked as a young teacher. Support from writers’ groups, public events, and awards has bolstered her confidence and broadened her audience. Freedom Lessons is now used as required reading for trainee teachers, emphasising its educational and social value.

A No-Age Mindset

Describing herself as a “perennial” with a no-age mindset, Sanchez embodies resilience and growth. She continues to explore new projects, including her husband’s story as a Cuban refugee. For Sanchez, storytelling is both personal and enduring—ensuring her voice resonates for years to come.

Inspiration Beyond Writing

Travel and nature fuel her creativity. From trips to France and Ireland sparking essays and family stories, to painting a yellow finch in her garden, she draws inspiration from the world around her. As she warmly shares: “You, dear reader, are reading my words, we are connected. Namaste.”