Voice of Witness is saying goodbye to our Editorial Director, Dao X. Tran, and welcoming Fanny García to the VOW team.
Dao has been an invaluable member of the Voice of Witness staff for the past seven years. She transformed the editorial department into a dynamic program, championing vital oral history projects with historically marginalized communities. As a thought leader in ethics-driven storytelling, Dao has shared countless insights with the VOW team, our partners, and our community. We are grateful for her contributions and wish her all the best in her next adventures! Read Dao’s farewell message and meet Fanny below.
Dao presents at the Oral History Association conference
A Note From Dao
Dear VOW Community,
As of August 2024, I will be stepping down from my position as Editorial Director at VOW. I’m so pleased that co-conspirator in all things oral history Fanny Julissa García will step into the new Editorial Program Manager role. We were lucky to work with Fanny last year as a consultant and are thrilled to have Fanny’s expertise as an oral history practitioner, writer, thinker, and leader on board in a staff member capacity.
I am so proud of all the editorial department has accomplished since I joined the staff in 2017—from the publication of five original collections in the VOW book series and reissuing key titles from VOW’s tremendous backlist to the piloting of the Storyteller Initiative, in which VOW supports, recenters, and partners with narrative changemakers uplifting stories from their own communities.
I cherish my time at VOW and the deeply relational work we cultivated, and I remain steadfast in a shared commitment to documenting and amplifying our people’s history. I know that the editorial program is in good hands with Fanny. And I look forward to all that VOW will continue to accomplish and build in the coming weeks, months, and years.
In solidarity, Dao X. Tran
Get To Know Fanny García
Fanny Julissa García (she/her) was born in Honduras—but shaped by her life as an immigrant in Mexico and the USA. She’s passionate about oral tradition, oral history, and written language in various forms, seeing them as powerful tools for understanding how people experience and engage with the world. As an oral historian, Fanny seeks to amplify diverse voices and shed light on silenced stories, creating a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of our shared human experience.
She is particularly interested in how personal narratives can bridge cultural divides, challenge preconceived notions, and contribute to a more comprehensive and equitable historical record. Her interests led her to receive a degree in English from UCLA and later, a master’s in oral history from Columbia University. When not exploring narratives or conducting interviews, she can be found lost in a good book or experimenting with new recipes that blend her multicultural background. She currently lives in New York City (Lenapehoking) surrounded by a wide array of house plants and loving friends.
On joining Voice of Witness, Fanny said:
“I have long been a fan of the work of Voice of Witness and I’m thrilled to join the organization and work alongside such an amazing staff. As the new Editorial Program Manager, my goal is to apply deference and empathy to amplify silenced voices through oral history. I’m eager to contribute to VOW’s mission with integrity and purpose, leveraging innovative storytelling methods to adapt to complex narratives and collaborate with diverse communities. At VOW, I look forward to combining my commitment to ethical storytelling with my drive to mobilize oral histories across various media, working towards a more just and empathetic world.”
