Author’s book placed at Smithsonian

TALLAHASSEE — Author Martha Lou Perritti, Tallahassee resident, presented a signed copy of her novel, Standing against the Wind, to officials with The Smithsonian and The National Museum for the American Indian on September 8, 2006 in Washington, D.C.

Perritti’s latest novel is rich in Indian heritage and is based on her own family — mainly three great grandmothers who were full-blooded Cherokee. Her first novel, which centered on her father’s long life is titled Crossing in the Rain.

About Standing against the Wind

Author Martha Lou Perritti presents her novel, Standing against the Wind, based on her Cherokee heritage, to The Smithsonian’s National Museum for the American Indian. (L-R) Leonda Levchuk, Smithsonian Public Affairs; Martha Perritti; Christopher Turner, Resource Center, The Smithsonian.

Perritti had originally planned to write her second novel about her mother. Initial research redirected her when, at the age of 60, she discovered her Cherokee heritage, long hidden from her to protect her and other family members from discrimination.

Her fact-based story begins in the Cumberland Gap and follows the path her Cherokee family unfolds for her. The reader travels through early Native Americans living peacefully in the Carolina mountains, to the treacherous Trail of Tears, the Civil War and to the final removal of Native Americans from Martha’s family homestead in the Caddo Mountains of northern Alabama.

Standing against the Wind (Lifestyles Press) took three years to research and write. Part of the research involved Perritti traveling the actual trail in each of the states where her three great grandmothers traveled and lived.

The Smithsonian presentation was a special moment for Martha Perritti and her husband Frank, who accompanied her on the visit.

“It was a moment I know that would have meant a great deal to my mother — and grandmothers too, said Perritti. “Now, they no longer have to hide their deep secret from me and others in our society. I am incredibly proud to be part Cherokee Indian.”

Perritti was in Washington DC at the request of the National League of American Pen Women. Artists and Writers from around the country were invited to participate in the group’s September Sale, including Letitia Baldrige, John DeDakis, Lucia St. Clair Robson, Archbishop Donald Weurl and many others. Funds raised from the event supported the Pen Arts Building Fund.

Prior to the September Sale, Perritti donated her books to be housed at the Smithsonian and the National Museum for the American Indian. The complete list of libraries that contains Perritti’s books are as follows:

Alabama:

Courtland Public Library
215 College Street
Courtland, AL 35618
256-637-9988

Double Springs Public Library
Blake Drive
Double Springs, AL 35553
205-489-2412

Decatur Public Library
504 Cherry Street NE
Decatur, AL 35602
256-353-2993

Lawrence County Public Library
401 College Street
Moulton, AL 35650
256-974-0883

Colorado:

The Denver Public Library
10W. 14th Ave Pkwy
Denver, CO 80204
720-865-1111

Georgia:

West Georgia Regional Library
Tallapoosa Public Library
388 Bowdon Street
Tallapoosa, GA 30176
770-574-3124

Florida:

Lee County Library System
Southwest Florida: Cape Coral, Ft Myers, Lakes Regional Library, Pine Island

Leon County
Northeast Branch
5513 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, FL
850-921-1776

State Library and Archives of Florida
RA Gray Bldg
Tallahassee, FL
850-245-6600

Washington DC Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave
Washington DC
202-707-5221

Smithsonian Institution Libraries:

National Museum of the American Indian
Cultural Resource Center
4220 Silver Hill Road, NMAI 2000
Suitland, Md 20746
Telephone: (301) 238-1376

National Museum of the American Indian Resource Center
(third floor in the NMAI on the Mall)
4th St and Independence, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20560
Telephone: 202-633-6904

To learn more about Martha Lou Perritti and to order her books, click onto her website at Marthalouperritti.com. Perritti’s books can also be found on Amazon.com and at these stores in north Florida and south Georgia: Tattered Pages Books & Expresso Bar, 2807 Crawfordville Hwy, Crawfordville, Florida; Book and Art Tearoom, 118 Municipal Ave, Sopchoppy, Florida; The Book Shelf, 319 Jackson St., Thomasville, Georgia; and Pebble Hill Plantation, Hwy 319, P.O. Box 830, Thomasville, Georgia.