Chapter closed: Memoir writing class concludes at Norwalk Senior Center

Students of Bonnie Mansell’s weekly writing class at the Norwalk Senior Center gather to celebrate her retirement. Mansell is seated front row center.

This month marked the end of a literary institution serving scores of writers and spanning almost three decades in southeast Los Angeles County. This was the writing class for seniors sponsored by the Cerritos College Adult Education Program and taught by Downey resident Bonnie Mansell.

Students gathered for the final class (this time with catered lunch) at the Norwalk Senior Center to celebrate Mansell’s retirement and her influence on their lives.

The roster of Mansell’s class reflected the diversity of southern California brought about by the influx of people migrating here after World War II. Attendees were from all the world (Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Ireland, Germany, etc.) as well as from all over the country (Hawaii, East LA, Utah, Maine, the deep South, Brooklyn, etc.). English was a second language for many.

Their written work embodied this international medley of experience which Karen Borrell described as “a cosmic mix of different backgrounds” and Mina Anne Chudilowsky saw as “living history.”

“When I was teaching high school,” Mansell explained, “I found the writing was so much more interesting when students were writing about their own lives. So this class was offered as creative writing for senior citizens with an emphasis on memoirs.”

Many readers of the local newspaper, The Downey Patriot, were enthusiastic followers of the column, “Shared Stories,” which featured articles from Mansell’s students with topics ranging from sweet, to funny, to sad, to sometimes horrifying. There were stories about daily life and stories about surviving war.

In 2016 an anthology was published in association with The Downey Patriot, “Sharing Stories: Global Voices Coming Together.” Editor Eric Pierce wrote that the stories were “an example of journalism at its most organic, raw and honest storytelling that shines a light on the American way of life, in all its varied forms.” A copy of the book was put in a time capsule at the Downey Promenade.

For Mansell, the class became as much a vocation as a job.

“Teaching this class has been one of the defining elements of my life,” affirmed Mansell, “like getting married, having children and grandchildren, or joining a particular church. The people you spend your time with shape your life.”

Mansell’s impact on her students was deep. Students attributed the popularity of her class to the encouraging and non-threatening environment.

Undeterred by the multicultural nature of the class, students discovered what they had in common and returned month after month, year after year. Chudilowsky, who attended the class for almost 20 years, said, “Bonnie brought different ethnic groups together and we learned from one another. The people were so accepting.”

Louis Thaxton, a “relative newcomer” from Long Beach, summed up his joy over finding the class with the simple statement, “I found my people.”

Participants signed up for a variety of reasons: some wanted to leave a written record for their families, some wanted/needed to share difficult experiences that they had overcome, and many used the opportunity to come to terms with their own feelings about past traumas.

“Each student who has been a part of our group has been unique and significant,” said Mansell, “with a story waiting to be told, waiting to be heard and acknowledged.”

Mansell recalled a mentor who told her that writing was an act of courage. “It has given me so much satisfaction,” she explained, “to watch these students become more and more confident in the value of their own stories and their ability to tell them.”

Over time, many students discovered that the class gave them much more than an opportunity to improve their writing skills. Encouragement, friendship, and learning from others were recurring themes.

Charlene Farnsworth, who retired from Rockwell International and joined the class in 2009, recounted, “I made long-standing friends. The camaraderie in that group never changed, even when we had to go online [during the Covid pandemic]. Her class gave me the confidence to put my own book together.”

With Mansell’s guidance, even the shyest students found their voice. Unlike talking, writing is not a natural human activity. Getting thoughts on paper is a learned accomplishment aided with effective instruction.

Mansell had students take turns sharing their work at the weekly gatherings and receiving feedback from others. No negative comments allowed. This was a powerful experience and unbelievably validating for those who said they had never done much writing in school, or for whom English was a second language.

Gail Earl, a member since 2008 who published two books of fiction as well as a memoir, explained that the class “was a place where everyone could open their hearts, reach down deep, and tell their stories.”

Many participants described the class as a “safe” place where they could share thoughts and experiences that they found too intimate to voice in other circumstances. Attendees recalled one member who jokingly referred to memoir-writing as “getting naked on paper.”

Vince Madrid, from Whittier, said, “It brought me out of my shell regarding public speaking. Even in school I hated to answer questions. But every time I got up there to share something, I got a little braver.” Madrid remembers walking into the class “by happenstance” and says he is glad he returned for future visits.

Over time, Madrid discovered that he had a knack for writing poetry; he now participates in open mic events around the area.

Yolanda Reyna, who grew up in Compton, said, “The class changed my life completely. It built my self-esteem. I grew up not knowing anything. I didn’t have dreams and goals. My mother had 14 kids and she was an amazing woman, but I never graduated high school. In Bonnie’s class, I blossomed like a flower.”

Reyna had the same initial reservations about speaking in public as Madrid. “The class taught me to speak, not be afraid,” she said. “I didn’t really know who I was, and now I’m my own therapist. Even when I’m writing, I cry.”

She described the importance of sharing work in class with fellow students: “I love when I’m reading and I can hear the oohs and awws; then I know my stories are good.”

Reyna started working towards her high school diploma at the same time that she joined Mansell’s class, and she elected to complete the requirements the long way—rather than studying to pass the GED, she attended Norwalk adult school classes (math, science, etc.) for seven years, graduating in June 2022.

Kacie Cooper, a participant for 18 years, echoed Reyna’s experience of the self-reflection and awareness inspired by the class. “The class woke me up. It opened up a light in me,” said Cooper. “Through all that writing it helped me know what I was feeling about my life and how to express myself.”

In younger years Cooper did stand-up comedy “as a way to express myself,” but knew she wanted to get her thoughts and experiences on paper.

“Bonnie was the first one to tell me,” Cooper remembered, “that if you wanted to be a writer, you had to be a reader.” Cooper is proud that she completed a book to leave for her grandchildren.

“The class was a road to writing for me,” said Daniela Kanz, who grew up in Brooklyn. “I learned so much from our discussions, and I will miss the encouragement I heard after I read my stories.”

Vickie Williams, a retired Downey pharmacist who grew up in Louisiana, reflected, “The class was an amazing journey in so many ways. It grew my humanity in learning the back-story of so many people and allowed me to expand my community. The prompts allowed us to dust off our memories.”

Borrell had the longest history with the class, having joined when it was first held in La Mirada. She grew up in a small town in the Adirondacks, lived in Mexico for a time with her husband and children, and went on to become a fashion designer and artist.

“There were so many different episodes in my life,” Borrell reflected, “and I probably wouldn’t have put it all on paper for my children and grandchildren without the class.”

Mansell does not know if the class will continue with another instructor. Weekly attendance, which was often over 30 students, has not fully recovered from the pandemic. People who might be interested as students are encouraged to call the Cerritos Community College Adult School.

In the meantime, some students hope to continue meeting as a group on Thursdays at the Norwalk Senior Center.

Mansell muses that she may visit them from time to time once she is settled into her retirement routines. “It has been an honor to be part of this community of writers,” she affirms.