Daughter of Holocaust survivors to share family's story at APSU on March 14 

By: Joanna "Joey" Grisham February 27, 2024

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Anna Salton Eisen has dedicated her life to sharing her family’s harrowing story of surviving the Holocaust and helping others understand the lasting trauma of historical atrocities through her acclaimed work as an author.

She will deliver a keynote address titled “A Daughter’s Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust” at Austin Peay State University’s annual Asanbe Symposium at 1 p.m. on March 14 in Morgan University Center (MUC) Room 303-305, drawing from her experience as a seasoned social worker with a background in mental health and trauma.

Salton Eisen is the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, the co-author of her father George Salton’s memoir “The 23rd Psalm: A Holocaust Memoir, The Twentieth Anniversary Edition” (a 2022 National Jewish Book Awards finalist) and the author of “Pillar of Salt: A Daughter’s Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust,” released in 2022.

In addition to her literary accomplishments, Salton Eisen is the executive producer of the upcoming documentary “In My Father’s Words” based on both of her books.

Following her lecture, a panel discussion titled “Healing from Generational Trauma” will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the same location. Other events will be held at Austin Peay throughout the week in conjunction with the symposium.

Dr. Tony Morris, associate dean for APSU’s College of Arts and Letters and professor of art history, will deliver an invited lecture on “Art, the Holocaust, and its Legacy” at 10:10 a.m. on Friday, March 15, in MUC Room 312.

The APSU World Film Festival will also screen and discuss “Sometimes in April,” a film about the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda, at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, in the Art + Design Building’s Heydel Hall. The film was directed by Raoul Peck and will be introduced by Dr. Christophe Konkobo, a professor in the Department of Languages & Literature.

All of these events are free and open to the public. For more information about Anna Salton Eisen and her impactful work, please visit her official website at annasaltoneisen.com.

Symposium history

The Asanbe Diversity Symposium is an event held at Austin Peay that’s designed to honor the memory of Dr. Joseph Asanbe, who was APSU’s first professor of African and African-American literature. He is fondly remembered for his commitment to diversity and inclusion. Each year, the symposium addresses different themes related to diversity, race and social justice, featuring keynote speakers, presentations and discussions that aim to foster understanding and awareness of these critical issues in society.