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 current series, Oral History in Practice: Community-Based Projects.
This event series explores connections between storytelling and community building, representation, ethics, advocacy, narrative change, and more. Speakers will share insights into developing oral history projects and their impact.
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.
Work With Us
We offer training and project support for ethical storytelling, oral history, and education. Let’s partner!
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!Project Preview: Movement and Migration in Appalachia
Beginning Again is the next title in the VOW Book Series, coming out in June 2024. In this collection, twelve narrators share accounts of their (or their families’) experiences of migrating and relocating to and within Appalachia. These first-person stories of displacement, resettlement, and community integration are complex, and the project counters monolithic representations of rural Appalachia. VOW sat down in conversation with project editor Katrina Powell and narrators Elvir Berbic and Claudine Katete to discuss the oral histories and the power of sharing one’s story.
Oral History in Action
Exploring California History Through Intergenerational Storytelling
Applied Oral History in Action: A Project on Family Separation
Meet Our New Website!
