Harness THe
TRANSFORMATIVE POWER
of Storytelling

Voice of Witness (VOW) is an oral history nonprofit that amplifies the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. We work with communities to document and center unheard voices, teach ethics-driven storytelling, and develop educational resources.

Our Approach

Oral History Book Series

The Voice of Witness Book Series depicts human rights issues through the edited oral histories of people who are deeply impacted and whose lived experiences are at the heart of finding solutions to address injustice. We use an ethics-driven methodology that combines journalistic integrity and an engaging, literary approach.

Education Program

The Voice of Witness education program brings unheard stories and oral history to classrooms across the US, centering marginalized voices and connecting students with training and tools for storytelling. Our resources and services address the need for inclusive, culturally relevant learning opportunities.

Community Projects & Partnerships

Through partnerships and services, VOW works with communities to teach ethical storytelling practices, develop oral history projects, and create educational resources. We offer expert storytelling and program support to organizations, advocates, educators, artists, networks, and more.

Upcoming Events

Check out all of our events and workshops, including our upcoming webinar Perspective Receiving versus Taking: The Science of Empathy.

Did you miss our Oral History in Practice: Community-Based Projects event series? It explored connections between storytelling and community building, representation, ethics, advocacy, narrative change, and more. Watch the recordings here.

I believe that telling one’s story is a way to healing. Sharing my own story has changed my life. It’s inspired me and I hope it will inspire others as well.

Soledad Castillo
VOW Narrator

Ways To Get Involved

Sharing resources and building partnerships with individuals, communities, and organizations is critical to our mission of amplifying the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice.

woman with microphone
Work With Us
We offer training and project support for ethical storytelling, oral history, and education. Let’s partner!
oral history resources
Explore Our Resources
Check out our free storytelling resources, oral history guides, and lesson plans for inclusive education.
Workshops
We offer webinars and workshops on oral history best practices, storytelling ethics, and curricular development.
Ways To Support
We can’t do this vital work without you. Learn about the many ways you can support VOW!

Latest Project: Movement and Migration in Appalachia

Beginning Again is the most recent title in the VOW Book Series. In this collection, narrators share accounts of their (or their families’) experiences of migrating and relocating to and within Appalachia. The project amplifies first-person stories of displacement, resettlement, and community integration, countering monolithic representations of Appalachia and immigrants.

Oral History in Action

Oral History in Practice: Celebrating Asian American Music and Memory
As part of the Oral History in Practice event series, Voice of Witness hosted a webinar with Rochelle Kwan, a cultural organizer, artist, and oral history educator, based in New York City’s Chinatown. Rochelle shared…


Our Voices: Democracy and Storytelling Q&A with Appalshop
In the US, we’re witnessing a rise in anti-democratic efforts, marked by increased censorship of marginalized voices, voter suppression, misinformation, attacks on the media, and erosion of checks and balances. At Voice of Witness, we…


VOW Supports High School Class To Document Migration Stories
Voice of Witness (VOW) supported an 11th grade class at Mission High School with an oral history project showcasing the histories of migration within the school community.  Through our ongoing partnership with the San Francisco…


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