By Gerald Z. Slaughter
CARMEL — Eva Mozes Kor, founding director of CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center, is one of 19 women honored in Michael S. Maurer’s book, “19 Stars of Indiana: Exceptional Hoosier Women.” Kor and 12 others featured in the book attended a reception in April at Maurer’s home in Carmel.
Maurer, a native of Indianapolis, successful attorney and community leader throughout the state, was inspired to write the book by Patricia Miller, former Indiana Secretary of Commerce and founder of Vera Bradley Designs, based in Fort Wayne. Maurer then decided to expand the book to highlight Miller and 18 other women. Maurer selected 19 exceptional women because of the state flag’s 19 stars.
Kor is featured in the book’s first chapter. She established CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute. CANDLES is an acronym for Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors. She lectures locally and statewide and also travels internationally in her mission to remove hatred and prejudice from the world.
When approached by Maurer initially, Kor hesitated to be honored in the book. She told Maurer, “I have to think about it.”
After learning more about Maurer, Kor agreed to talk to Maurer about her life and the museum, and Maurer agreed to talk to the CANDLES board of directors about fundraising in the nonprofit sector. “This was the beginning of an exciting relationship,” Kor said.
During the reception in April, the shining stars were mingling with one another and other invited guests while signing each other’s personal copies of the book and sharing their unique achievements and contributions. The guests were treated with an impromptu a cappella performance by another honoree, Sylvia McNair, the internationally known soprano. Best known for her work in opera and musical theater, she sang “This Little Light of Mine.”
Other stars who attended included entrepreneurial philanthropist Christel DeHaan, Judge Sarah Evans Barker, Sharon Rivenbark, CEO of For Bare Feet, Lt. Col. Mary Bolk of the U.S. Army, Nancy Noel, the internationally known artist, current Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, physician and native Nigerian Mercy Okanemeh Obeime, and Jeanette Lee, the billiards player known as “the Black Widow.” Jo Ann Gora, president of Ball State University, who wrote the foreword of the book, also attended. The remaining stars were unable to attend the event.
In writing the book, Maurer developed criteria containing seven specific items he outlines in the book’s preface. After reviewing hundreds of names, he selected the 19 women and interviewed them to learn more about their contributions to the state.
Maurer said of the book, “This was a terrific opportunity and labor of love. I enjoyed meeting all of the stars.”
Maurer has plans to write a complementary book focusing on 19 exceptional men who are leaders and pioneers in the state of Indiana. He said jokingly, “It may not be as exciting, but I’m looking for suggestions.”
Indiana University Press publishes Maurer’s book.
