In this episode of Our People: Holdeman Mennonite Stories, host Amanda sits down with Carolyn, who shares her deeply personal journey of growing up and living within the Holdeman Mennonite community. Carolyn’s story is one of resilience, especially as she navigates the complexities of being a woman and a single mother in a patriarchal and high-control religious system. Carolyn begins by reflecting on her early years in Crooked Creek, where the church's teachings and sense of community provided her with a foundation. However, as she matured, she became increasingly aware of the strict roles imposed on women within the church. The expectations were clear: women were to be obedient, submissive and focused on homemaking and child-rearing. Carolyn describes the immense pressure to conform to these roles, which left little room for personal growth or autonomy. As a single mother, Carolyn faced additional scrutiny and judgment from the church staff and the broader community. She recounts how her status as a single mother was often viewed with suspicion, as though it signified a failure to adhere to the church’s standards of marriage and family life. The lack of support for single mothers within the church only exacerbated the challenges she faced, leaving her to navigate motherhood largely on her own while still trying to meet the church’s demanding expectations. Carolyn also speaks candidly about her interactions with church and school staff, who often reinforced patriarchal norms that kept women like her in subservient positions. She shares instances where she felt marginalized and disempowered by the male-dominated leadership, who were more interested in maintaining control than offering compassion or understanding. The episode takes a significant turn as Carolyn questions the roles and expectations placed upon her. She reflects on the moment she recognized that her worth was not defined by the church’s patriarchal standards but by her strength and values. This realization became a catalyst for her decision to leave the church and pursue a life where she could be true to herself and her children, free from the oppressive structures that had once held her back. Carolyn’s journey is not just one of breaking free from a controlling religious environment but also a story of reclaiming her identity as a woman and a mother. Despite the emotional and societal challenges, she emerges with a profound sense of self-worth and a determination to provide a better life for herself and her children, outside the confines of the church’s rigid doctrines. This episode offers a deeply moving exploration of the intersection between gender, religion, and personal freedom. Carolyn’s story sheds light on the unique struggles faced by women and single mothers in high-control religious groups and underscores the courage it takes to defy patriarchal norms and forge a path of independence. Her testimony is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-empowerment and the strength that comes from breaking free of oppressive systems. Follow us on Facebook: https://rb.gy/cj55td Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045