Lizzy Hershberger

Lizzy's Biography

Lizzy Hershberger was raised ultra-conservative Swartzentruber Amish in Minnesota. After coming forward about systemic abuse in her church, Lizzy became recognized as an expert on the Amish culture, as well as an advocate, panelist, speaker and Amish language interpreter, for victims of abuse. She is the co-founder of Voices of Hope Events, a national support network helping women find their own voice. She volunteers with Victim Services and other groups to improve the lives of women and children. Before escaping her Amish community, also known as “jumping the fence,” Lizzie was a hired maid for local families, Amish school teacher. After giving up everything she knew growing up with, she got married and became a mother to four children, served as president of her children’s 4-H Club, served as an Awana Leader at her church and she became a co-founder of a school-based support group, and served as a School Board member. Additionally in 2018 she testified as an expert witness on the Amish for a wastewater case that resulted in substantial environmental improvements. Lizzie’s story has made international news, been featured in Cosmopolitan, Rochester Woman Magazine and multimedia platforms and podcasts. Discover more at LifeBehindBlueCurtains.com.

Molly’s Biography

Molly Maeve Eagan was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She began her writing career as a crime reporter, and her unique ability to connect with interview subjects turned her into an award-winning investigative journalist. As a sexual assault survivor, she spent years in recovery before dedicating herself to helping other survivors find their voices and tell their stories. Molly is a writer, editor and organizer, advocating for diverse groups of survivors from isolated religious communities to Hollywood casting couches. Discover more at Mollymaeve.com.

Disclaimer from the Author Lizzy Hershberger

In order to protect the innocent people involved in this story, some names and identifying facts have been changed. The depictions of events, as well as verifiable facts, have been recalled and written accurately to the best of the author’s ability. This is not an attempt to get revenge on any individual or the Amish church. It is not the author’s intention to harm or disrespect any of the people depicted in the story or to incite conflict, but rather to educate and inspire change for future generations.

This memoir is based on the true life of Lizzy Hershberger. This book’s descriptions are solely from her own lived experience and do not describe any other person’s story or experiences. Some names, identifying characteristics, dialogue, and further details have been changed, added, or withheld. Any supposed likeness to any other persons, communities, or specific locations is unintentional.

Some traumatic events, emotional responses, and details were too difficult to write about. All memories were reconstructed based on personal diaries, in depth interviews, conversations, letters, news articles, police reports, and court documents.

This memoir does not reflect all events, characters, and incidents. In an effort to be sensitive to readers, some of the more graphic details and other superfluous information were omitted.

It is the author’s hope that each reader will learn something valuable from her story and use it to make a positive difference in someone else’s life.

Ten percent of all book profits will be donated to support and educate people in plain communities.