Irene Popa never dreamed she would end up in Nashville, Tennessee. Born to a poor family in Bucharest, Romania, she learned to be a survivor at a young age. Her family was so destitute, they had to send her away to “weekly care” during the work week, bringing her home only on the weekends. Recently, Popa, a local Nashville aesthetician, came to the Nashville StoryBooth to share her story with her “soul sister,” Julianna Ericson. She told Ericson that she finally found a home with her grandmother, an herbalist, who served as her village’s healer and midwife. Popa’s grandmother, she recalled, taught her how to make herbal remedies and body care products, many of which she uses today at her face and body studio. She also imparted her wisdom, which guides Popa even today.
Posts from Nashville, Tennesee
Posted by Kate on February 27, 2008, from Nashville, Tennesee
Howard C. Gentry, Sr. Remembered
Posted by Cindy on February 14, 2008, from Nashville, Tennesee
Community Partners: Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
Mrs. Carrie Gentry (L) still remembers the evening she first learned that the new athletic facility on Tennessee State University’s campus would be named for her husband, the late Howard C. Gentry, Sr. Last Saturday, Mrs. Gentry was interviewed at the Nashville StoryBooth by Tennessee State University student, Chessley Jones (R). In her interview, she recalled many fond memories of her husband’s long career as both coach and athletic director at Tennessee State University. Mrs. Gentry was particularly proud of the Howard C. Gentry Athletic Endowment Scholarship Fund and its endeavors to provide financial aid to TSU athletes.
As a TSU student herself, Ms. Jones’s admiration of her interviewee was evident throughout. I was moved to witness an intergenerational friendship forming as the women conversed. Special thanks to the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society‘s Nashville chapter for arranging this interview.
