Judy Stavisky on In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women (Book Giveaway)
For years now, Judy Stavisky has been driving and accompanying Amish women on shopping trips, building friendships with them and learning firsthand about their lives. Judy has compiled her experiences and insights in a new book called In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women. Here’s the description via Herald Press:
What does the life of an Amish woman really look like? Over the course of a decade, author Judy Stavisky, a curious outsider, spent hundreds of hours getting to know the women of Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County Amish community to find out the answer to this question. She joined mothers and grandmothers, unmarried women and teens, on their shopping excursions for household items, fabric, and groceries. They drove miles between undulating fields and shared hundreds of hours of conversation on everyday topics—laughing together about sneaking healthier entrees into their family’s evening meals, sharing concerns about their children, and trading family remedies for persistent coughs. As relationships evolved into enduring friendships, she grew to understand firsthand how Amish women bind their families and communities together.
In Plain View draws the reader inside a community governed by faith and separated by time, taking a closer look at the roles Amish women assume within their families and community, their fierce work ethic, and their camaraderie. Hundreds of years of shared traditions comes to life through a personal connection with Amish women, their own soft voices gently opening their world to an outsider.
Today Judy answers some questions for us on her experience with Amish women and on the book. I had a chance to read an advance copy several months ago and really enjoyed it.
Enter to win a copy of In Plain View
Along with today’s Q&A you can enter for a chance to win a copy of In Plain View. Simply leave a comment or question on this post. I’ll announce the winner here next week.
Judy Stavisky, MPH, M. Ed., has spent considerable time over the past decade attending Amish schools, sharing meals with Amish families, and joining events hosted in the Amish community. Judy has a lengthy career in philanthropy and helping non-profit organizations become more successful. She is a co-author of Do It Better! How the Kids of St. Francis de Sales Exceeded Everyone’s Expectations chronicling the journeys of Philadelphia’s student refugees. Recently Judy has been supporting Philadelphia’s refugee resettlement efforts, connecting food insecure Philadelphians with meals, and has served as part of the faculty at Arcadia and Drexel University.
Judy Stavisky on In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women
Amish America: How did you come to know the Amish, and where did the idea for this book come from?
Judy Stavisky: I moved to Philadelphia from Allentown about 40 years ago. During my grocery shopping trips to Reading Terminal Market (the city’s historic indoor Farmers Market), I observed Amish provisioners from afar. I was fascinated by Amish dress, the immaculate hair styles, and their diligence.
Frequently on weekends, my husband and I loaded our bicycles onto our car and headed to Lancaster County, a little over an hour from our home. While on our bikes, we spent hours meandering through Amish settlements, often stopping for fresh-dug potatoes and spring onions or chewy scratch-baked cookies sold at roadside stands. Silently riding by unadorned white farmhouses, the wind blowing through laundry lines of earth-colored aprons left me even more curious.
I purchased a book about the Amish each time we visited Lancaster County. Over the years, I collected scores of books. Many of them were written by Donald Kraybill, an international expert on the Amish who was then a professor at Elizabethtown College, now Emeritus.
Learning that Elizabethtown College was two hours by train from my home and only 1.5 miles from the E-town Amtrak station, I reached out to Dr. Kraybill and asked him if I might take one of his evening Amish classes. He agreed. An idyllic train ride from Philadelphia to Elizabethtown and a fascinating weekly course made my weekly commute a pure joy!
Where did you do your research and what did that look like?
Dr. Kraybill introduced me to several Amish families in an effort to assist him in updating his seminal book on the Amish, The Riddle of Amish Culture. Dr. Kraybill offered Amish women a free driver (me) to run errands with them in exchange for informal talk time with Amish shoppers.
I drove about two dozen Amish mothers and grandmothers, sisters and aunts to a myriad of grocers, dry goods and hardware stores, appliance and repair shops and health providers. While Dr. Kraybill’s competing obligations ultimately did not allow him time to update his book, he continued encouraging me – write up your visits and keep refining your notes. After over 100 visits, I had collected quite a bit of information!
What do outsiders get wrong about Amish women?
The relationship between men and women.
“There are lots of things written about us that are not true,” an Amish mother said wistfully.
Because the Amish dress similarly, those of us that live outside of their community assume that they are the same. That idea could not be further from the truth. Like the English, there are shy Amish women and those who are comfortable in most settings. I met Amish women with a bright sense of humor and those who are more staid and reserved. A number of the women I met remarked, “we are just people like you,” aware that some English tend to paint the Amish with one brush.
I also noticed how the Amish men I met, respect and appreciate their wives’ abilities at maintaining bountiful gardens, preserving mountains of produce on blisteringly hot days, and handily tailoring pants, dresses, shirts, and night clothes for every family member. Preparing meals for families of nine or 10 along with 100-plus person church and youth gatherings requires stamina and finely honed organizational skills.
Amish life excludes modern conveniences like microwave ovens or electric toasters, dishwashers, and clothes dryers. Busy before dawn and through the evening, Amish women launder piles of soiled clothes in a wringer washer, clip each piece of wet clothing to outside clotheslines (even in frigid weather), tend to multiple young children and their chores, and confidently negotiate a thousand-pound horse and buggy. When farm work requires her strong arms, Amish women work as equal partners, side by side with her husband and children. I stand in awe of Amish women.
What kind of Amish stores did/do you visit with your Amish friends? Any memorable or unusual ones?
“It is a little more difficult to comparison shop with a horse and buggy,” stated an Amish mother of seven.
Dry goods stores filled with bolts of dark fabrics, sewing notions, toys, housewares, Amish romance novels and cookbooks remain popular destinations for Amish women.
However, a few unusual shops remain hidden from public view without any discernable signage. I visited a shop that sells huge containers of honey and groats that Amish women will grind into flour. Down a long dirt road, a round Amish man fixes Amish school copier machines (operated by battery). Behind a winding gravel path in a well-trafficked tourist area, a non-descript shop offers custom made Amish hats (below).
How is an “Amish” shopping trip different from an “English” shopping trip?
“We don’t run out to the store for a missing ingredient,” one of my Amish passengers confirmed.
Rarely a spur-of the-moment decision, shopping trips for Amish women requires multiple lists and astute planning, with the goal of minimizing time spent away from home.
One Amish store posts lost shopping lists on their bulletin board. One reads: “Sweater for Rachael, good socks for Dad and hairpins for Hannah.” Another list includes: “German song books, fabric ripper, black shoe polish, stockings and handkerchiefs for Ruth and dishpans for Naomi.”
Knowing the limitations on an Amish mother’s time, Amish owned grocery stores offer crafts supplies for handmade greeting cards, a favored children’s pastime, along with rows of herbal tinctures and tonics.
A farm supply establishment separates their refrigerated food section from building materials, plumbing supplies, and work boots with heavy plastic sheeting. One would never know from the faded outside road sign, that inside the store’s discrete refrigerated section, lies tubs of ice-cold lard, cartons of eggs, and packages of frozen ground chuck.
Shopping at Amish owned stores also offers Amish women the opportunity of exchanging news with seldom-seen friends. Updates on out-of-town weddings or a church member’s health status helps stitch the community closely together. This quilt of interconnectedness – neighbors caring about one another, extending kindness and strength to others, lies at the heart of the Amish community. My visits over 10 years offered me a privileged glimpse into lives that revolves around family, faith and community. In Plain View provides a respectful account of my experiences with several Amish women over many years. Their identities and personal characteristics have been changed to protect their privacy and in deference to Amish modesty and humility.
A big thanks to Judy for her insights. In Plain View is available via outlets including bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
So Exciting!
Congratulations to Judy on her book–this sounds like a wonderful and much-needed contribution to the field! There isn’t nearly enough about Amish women, in my opinion. I would love to win a copy, but will definitely buy my own copy if I don’t.
Great read
This was a really good read and I’d love to have a chance to read the book.
Book
Sounds like an interesting read!
Congratulations!!
Congratulations on the new book.
I’m looking forward to reading it. I’ve read many Amish books and have an Amish cookbook I use to cook Kosher meals. I’m also interested in their canning and cooking methods.
Thanks for a chance to win the book!
Sounds fascinating
I have become interested in the Amish life more and more as we slowly transition to off grid on our homestead. Suddenly Amish women are more than just interesting to me – they have become mentors-from-afar as I try to achieve as an adult what they learned how to do as children! So many skills I never had and wish my mother had taught me – but of course she didn’t know either!
I have been searching for a book that gives a more balanced and honest view of Amish women. This book sounds wonderful!
WOW! I would LOVE to read that!!
I guess the craziest question I have for the Amish is how do clothes dry outside in cold weather? It would seem to me that they would just freeze and you’d bring in a whole bunch of stiff sheets of clothes that would just be wet as soon as they thawed. Am I just way too twenty-first century?
WOW! I would LOVE to read that!!
Deirdre – while laundry does dry stiff on cold days, Amish women also drape the clothes inside around the heating stove, in the central living area. Most use wooden drying to do so.
LOL- thank you for answering. I’ve read so many Amish books where they bring up hanging the clothes outside in cold weather, and its always bugged me!!
Question
My wife and I come to the Lancaster area every fall. We just love everything about it. Over the years we have discussed moving to the area. As I have gotten older I have often thought about retiring and becoming an “Amish taxi driver”. Could you offer any hints or ideas on what that would take and how I might go about doing that? Thank you so much.
Word of mouth gets you customers to drive!
I am a retired RN who moved to southeastern Lancaster County 5 years ago. Having Amish neighbors across the road made easy contact for getting my name and phone number shared within the Amish community. You will be kept as busy as you want to be — many times a call for a ride comes to you the very same morning an medical appointment was scheduled (and forgot about ), so your calls will be based on their needs. I always urged my neighbors over and over again to PLEASE try to call with at least 24 hours’ notice, if not more! As Judy notes in her information she gleaned in her 10 years, I found the experience of being an Amish taxi driver very rewarding, as I have formed many friendships and learned so much from them.
Sounds Fascinating
Judy’s book sounds lovely! I’ve had the pleasure of driving some Amish and I always enjoy my time with them.
A wonderful book
What a timely book, and after 10 years of service to the Amush community, plus her association with Dr Kraybill, Judy would certainly have a deep understanding of the lives of these women.
I would be thrilled to win a copy if this book.
Blessings
Maxine
Looking forward to getting a copy.
I just love to follow the books on how the Amish live. Such a simple and plain life, one that I wish I could live. So, instead, I dive into books on the lifestyle. Looking forward to this wonderful read.
Enlightening!
It was interesting to read about the Amish from the woman’s point of view.
enjoyable read
I very much enjoyed reading this question/answer session with Judy Stavisky. I will definitely be searching for a copy of the book. I live in an area where there is no Amish presence but have visited a number of such communities. I respect and admire the strong work ethic, love of family, and strong committment to God that the Amish exhibit. Thank you for the chance of winning this book.
Interesting Read about Amish Culture
I enjoyed the post, and expect I’ll enjoy reading the whole book, too. Sounds like an insightful, interesting, and respectful account of Ms. Stavisky’s observations and participation in Amish ladies’ social interactions and friendships.
Wonderful opportunity!
My best friend from Gladwin, Michigan was an Amish women who moved seven hours away. Had a chance to spend so many hours with her and would love to read about your experiences too.
Interesting read, I am sure!
I would love to read this book and get your perspective on being and Englisher among the Amish!
Fascinated by the Amish
I always enjoy listening to audiobooks by different authors that writes Amish books .. it’s about what I read or listen to , very interesting but I’m sure some of it is made up , jus curious how they really live ..
Great
Can’t wait to get this and read it. I have always glad to hear about the Amish life style, and would love to know more about the women way of life.
Wonderful Learning!
I may not be chosen to receive a free copy of the book, but you can bet I’ll buy a copy and read it from cover to cover. I am a nurse at a clinic in Central Pennsylvania, where we treat Amish and Mennonite patients that have rare genetic disorders. As I’ve learned about some of their culture and beliefs, I’ve really come to admire and respect them. I’m ALWAYS wanting to learn more – if only I could learn Pennsylvania Dutch!
But I thank you for writing such an interesting book which sheds some light on an oftentimes misunderstood (but wonderful) group of people!!!
In Plain View
I saw this book in the Gordonville Book Store and can not wait to read it. I am getting caught up with Prof. Kraybill’s books now. I am like Judy. I have wonderful Amish lady friends I shop with and eat with them frequently. They are married and single. We volunteer at the Intercourse FC together. They are pure joy in my life. Like any other group of lady friends. Only funny part is they try to give me gas money each time we go out shopping together. I continue to tell them. I do not take gas money from my friends.
In Plain View
Lisa, after a decade, one or two Amish friends still ask if they can pay for gas. I have always felt that my conversations with Amish women are invaluable and like you, I do not accept gas money from my friends.
Love
I grew up near the Amish and can only say awesome things.
Amish Women (Book Giveaway)
I respect the Amish life, wish I could learn more. One day I want to visit an Amish community. I know I could learn a lot from them. I wish I could be a penpal with an Amish woman.
Great Article
This was a great article! I’d love to read the book. We live near the Amish community in Bonduel, WI and I enjoy interacting with the Amish families we see when we visit their bakery and also the bulk foods store. I find their way of life so refreshing. The sense of community and togetherness is so lacking in our world today. Congratulations to Judy on what sounds like a wonderful book!
Thank you
I am a frequent visitor to Lancaster County with many Amish friends that I take out whenever I am in the area. I love this time with my friends and have learned so much. I await reading your book. I am sure it will reinforce all I have learned about these amazingly complex, yet simple living people. Susan Abbott
Can’t wait to read
We visit Lancaster county at least once a year from Connecticut. I love finding the little out-of-the-way places run by Amish. I’m seriously thinking about retiring there. I don’t think I could live that life but I admire them for doing it. We are coming again in October and I am going to look for your book.
Can't Wait to Read
Joanne, if you are visiting the Intercourse Area, there are a few shops that carry “In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women” – Kitchen Kettle Village, The Quilt Shop at Millers, the Old Country Store and the Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop (Gibbons Rd).
Learning
I am always interested in learning new things and this book sounds like a very good way to learn about the Amish, the correct way.
Lovely
I look forward to reading this book. Thanks to your giveaway I might be able to read it sooner rather than later.
We love to visit and read about the Amish. We have been to Lancaster, PA and loved the area and people. We have an Amish community living in Ellenboro, NC and have friended several families. They make soap, indoor and outdoor furniture, and all types of canned goods. We plan to visit one family who recently relocated back to the Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Would love to read your book. Thank you for posting your story.
Getting to know the Amish
I have lived around the large Amish community in Elkhart County, Indiana all my life. I even grew up Mennonite but did not really know the Amish beliefs or traditions until after retiring and having time to do some reading.
I am finding that the Amish are not who I grew up thinking they were. I am finding that if we English people would raise our families more like the Amish do we would have a much more respectful and God fearing society .
My Dad said we were Pennsylvania Dutch…kin I think to Amish long ago.
I was born in Indiana, Pa. And my Dad said our heritage was Pennsylvania Dutch. I once read Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler. I’m so interested in the women in particular and what it’s like to be Amish. I live about 2 hrs now from Lancaster and have been there a few times. I’ve read Amish cookbooks and fiction books by Beverly Lewis. I would love to read this book to really learn what the Amish women do every day from taking care of hearth and home to raising their children and helping their husbands and their community help. I’m so interested in everything. Thank you for this opportunity.
Interesting Subject
You can be sure I will buy this, unless I’m the fortunate one and win this book. Since I was raised Amish, I think I know a lot about them. One thing is for sure, there are many Amish women who are definitely the BOSS around the house. I also don’t know of any other group of women who work for their families, from morning to night, without complaining. One of my Mother’s favorite sayings was: Man works from sun to sun, but women’s work is never done. So true.
The Daily Lives of Amish
What an interesting interview! It would be a privilege to be chosen to win a copy of the book!
I would absolutely love to read this book. What a great resource. And how wonderful to focus on women and their work.
In Plain View
Just ordered the book for my wife for her birthday. She will enjoy it, as I am sure I will, too.
https://amishamerica.com/judy-stavisky-in-plain-view-the-daily-lives-of-amish-women/#comment-713595
I’ve always been fascinated with the Amish way of life. I certainly don’t have their stamina, but I do admire their way of life, their work ethic, and their faithfulness to their religion and families.
Would you let us know in a comment where we can purchase this very informative sounding book?
Thank you,
Peggy
where to buy the book
The very last line of the article tells where to get the book.
https://amishamerica.com/judy-stavisky-in-plain-view-the-daily-lives-of-amish-women/#comment-713595
Peggy, I would encourage you to call your local book shop. They can order the book for you if they don’t have it in stock. Also, if you use the internet, you can purchase it online at https://bookshop.org, or at Barnes and Noble or Amazon. I like to support the local shops first!
Look Forward to Reading This
I so enjoy visiting the Amish produce store not far from our home, just over the Kentucky border. So fascinating seeing the produce, canned goods, and products sewn and cooked by the ladies. Truly feel they are blessed and an example to the rest of us.
Thank you Judy for your interest and ability to share their simple, blessed ways with us.
Love the Amish
I have the privilege of being friends and visiting two young ladies and their family in the New Wilmington PA area. They are a joy and so lovely to spend time with.
Amish women
Article was really interesting,i would love to read the book.
Congratulations!
Like others, I can’t wait to read the book. If I win, great if not I will definitely buy. I have been in awe of Amish Life for awhile. I read a lot about the communities and people. Looking forward to getting the book.
Love The Amish
A very interesting and inspiring group of people. Would love to win this book.
Book giveaway
I have been intrigued by the Amish culture for many years. I too love the simpler life but could not live without conveniences of electricity. It sure would be fun to reside close to them and learn from them. The book sure sounds like a great read!
Very interesting..
Would love to read this book..I follow many Amish authors and read so many Amish books..I love them..We have so much going on in our world that is not good. I find picking up an Amish book and reading all about as very relaxing..Plus sometimes I learn different things along the way..I do have many Amish cookbooks that I use from time to time..Thank you for this interesting read.
Looks good!
I’m looking forward to a Kindle version of this book. Just by “a look inside,” I can tell I’m going to love it.
I’ll wait to buy a physical copy until I see whether a Kindle version becomes available. (Hey, Erik – can you pass on the suggestion?)
Looks Good
Lucinda – the book is only available in hard copy. Sorry!
Book looks so interesting!
This looks like a great book to read!
Comments
Please discontinue the comment emails I’m receiving. There are way to many. But thanks anyway
I wanna win this book!
Hi! I’ve never won anything and I really would like to read this book. I love the blog too!! It’s great! I would love to visit the Amish someday!
Thank You, Judy!
Reading your insights here makes me want to read your book even more. Reading about the Amish & other Plain cultures has motivated me to simplify my life & find joy in people rather than possessions.
Please count me in.
‘Would love to win this book, but if I don’t I will definitely buy it. I can’t get enough of reading about the Amish. We are overdue to visit the Lancaster, PA & the first shop on my agenda is the bookstore in Gordonville. There’s nothing like the tranquility in Lancaster, PA.
Count me in!
I’d love to read this book, it seems to give a different perspective from other books I’ve read about the Amish.
I am fascinated reading about the Amish(Book Giveaway)
I have become interested in the Amish lifestyle. I have relatives close to the Amish communities located near Canton, Harmony and Preston Minnesota. I enjoy visiting the various Amish farms with the goods they sell.
Insurance for driver?
Do most Amish Taxi drivers get special insurance to carry their Amish passengers?
Insurance for driver
Jim – I cannot answer this one with authority. I offered free rides for conversation time. My guess is there may be some sort of state licensing and insurance required, if one wants to be an official “taxi driver.” As another reader mentioned, most drivers are known through word of mouth in the Amish community, an extraordinary effective form of communication!