Journey into the Whirlwind

 Word Count: 251 words

    Eugenia was powerful in the way she told her life stories being a Communist in the U.S.S.R. She was strong enough to share all her stories of what she faced in jail, some things that most people would keep to themselves in fear of sharing to the public. She began to show us what it was like to come together with others in tough times- something we all need to be more aware of. We need to be open to putting our problems aside and reassuring those who need our support and love. Eugenia shows and explains the empathy she felt when a prisoner said, "When they heard I was a member of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R., they became greatly excited and asked question after question" (307). The prisoners were over the moon to have a new person and a new perspective in the jail, they were welcoming and ecstatic to meet her and hear about her background. Putting each other at ease was essential to keeping them calm in a treacherous time. The inmates being selfless instead of selfless was huge in this support system. Eugenia's positive outlook saved her as this was necessary to come out strong and without needing emotional "crutches" to get by. As women we need to be able to come together instead of push against each other in today's society. We tend to see other women as threats although no one knows better how we feel/how to help us but each other!