Silencing the Women: The Witch Trials of Mary Bliss Parsons – A Book Talk with Kathy-Ann Becker

Step into the true story of a woman accused of witchcraft in 17th century New England in a saga that spans our own valley and hills. On Tuesday, October 27 at 7pm at the Clapp Memorial Library, you are invited to a presentation and discussion with descendant Kathy-Ann Becker of her story, Silencing the Women: The Witch Trials of Mary Bliss Parsons. Becker’s talk will explore how fear, gendered politics, and theology mixed with governance, justice, and gossip to create a climate where accusations of witchcraft embedded into a culture of blame-targeting, social tension, and the silencing of voices. There are lessons from such times of despair which impact our legacy and shed light on our abilities to courageously balance our abilities to create havens of hope and human bonds of redemption and love.