Frequently
Asked Questions
When was The Notebook Project Started?
It was launched in March, 2006, with 63 notebooks being mailed or handed out to individuals. Over 300 were in circulation in 13 different countries before we decided to open it up to online participation.
What made you take the project online?
When I attended the Commission on the Status of Women, at the UN, in February 2007, I found out that no matter how small a town or village is, the women have access to an Internet café. Sometimes the café consisted of a young man on a bike, with a computer, in his backpack, which is wired for use, in the local village.
For some women, the expense and the distances to a post office was a challenge.
Finally, some women just didn’t want anyone they knew reading what they had written. By participating online, The Notebook Project allows you to remain anonymous and honors your truth at the same time.
How will you get the notebooks back?
To a large extent, it is based on the honor system. If for some reason, you decide you don’t want to participate in the project, we ask that you pass the notebook on to a friend or return it to us, so that we may honor the women who have written in it. In addition, we suggest that you keep a copy of what you have written and to send us a copy via email (judy@notebookproject.com)
or snail mail.
Judy Ranieri, Project Director
5433 K Clayton Road, #126
Clayton, CA 94517
Sometimes, it just takes a quick phone call or two, to get the notebook on the road again.
In some cases, we have had blank notebooks returned to us with different explanations for why they “couldn’t” write in it. In some ways, it’s about women who felt they couldn’t say no to the project, or to us, but really didn’t want to do it.
What will you do with the notebooks once they are returned?
We have begun to read some of the early responses at workshops and
speaking engagements for women’s groups and organizations.
The feedback has been consistent, “This needs to be created
into a book so other women can ‘hear’ these words of
wisdom.”
In some instances, a whole workshop can be built around a response that touches women so deeply they feel compelled to speak their truths.
The intention in publishing this book will be to celebrate the courageous women willing to share their truth.
