We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Elizabeth Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Elizabeth, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
As an author, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with veterans and to meet many wonderful and diverse individuals. My writing focuses on a World War II military installation in middle Tennessee, Camp Forrest. It was the fifth largest city in Tennessee and trained over 70,000 soldiers and housed over 20,000 German and Italian prisoners of war. I’ve learned so many aspects about World War II and the home front that are not taught in secondary and university systems. One of the most important lessons being an author has taught me, is that everyone has an important story that should be recorded for posterity. Our history extends far beyond the confines of textbooks, documentaries, and websites.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career began as a university administrator helping applicants and students navigate the graduate application process and then being a successful student. I worked with domestic and international students which helped me understand first hand cultural differences and similarities. Unlike many of my colleagues I felt I was more than a paper pusher. I had the opportunity to help others find the best educational path to attain their dream jobs. At times it wasn’t easy as upper level administrators only viewed me as a small cog in the overall process. While at times that mentality was upsetting, I remained undaunted. It was far more important to me to treat others in the same manner in which I wanted to be treated. I eventually retired from university administration. Today, I am a part time instructor, researcher, and author. The lessons learned and skills obtained working in a university setting make me a more proficient researcher and author. Without these experiences I may have never been given the opportunity to teach and to make a difference.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many amazing things to see and do in the Atlanta area. There would be several days spent seeing the many museums and historical sites, such as the Atlanta History Center, Margaret Mitchell museum, Carter Presidential Library Center and, of course, the World of Coke. Given Atlanta’s booming entertainment industry, touring studios and visiting site locations of some of our favorite films and television shows is a must. Of course, we would take my mini horse Handsome with us when we venture to some of the great hiking trails in the area. Our experience would also include dining at some of the fantastic international restaurants!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents always supported me in any venture I started. However, we would have never dreamed I would become an author of two, soon to be three, books. My journey as an author stemmed from an afternoon conversation with my friend, Dr. R. B. Rosenburg about World War II prisoners of war housed in the U.S. For all the decades I was in college I never knew about POWs held in the U.S. during World War II. He suggested I look at Camp Forrest. And the rest, as they say, is history! He was an amazing college history professor who always had a smile as I told him about my research. Without his encouragement and support I would not have the opportunity to tell people about many of the little know aspects of history.
Website: www.CampForrestFoundation.org
Instagram: camp.forrest
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/camp-forrest-foundation
Twitter: @camp_forrest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethTaylorAuthorRealtor