Manchester University

« Back to Recent News

Kendallville author to share story of trauma, survival in Manchester presentation

North Manchester, IN (04/04/2023) — When Heidi Ramer's mother died in 2001, she left behind 15 years of journals detailing repeated sexual trauma and emotional torment from someone who had been a colleague. In a 1987 entry, Karen Doudt said that if she were to die, she wanted her story to be shared.

As she read those journals, Ramer knew that it would be her honor to use her own voice and her mother's words to do so.

The 1993 Manchester graduate and author, a resident of Kendallville, will return Thursday, April 20 to share their story. The topic is also the name of her book, Her Words, My Voice.

The program is 7 p.m. in Petersime Chapel on the North Manchester campus. The public is welcome.

"My mother's life was remarkable, but her pain is not necessarily uncommon," Ramer said in the January book release announcement. "The level of raw detail my mother shares provides the kind of unfiltered insight that I've never encountered before; and our two realities have not been made public until now. Most readers will find something to relate to whether as a daughter, sibling, parent, grandparent, survivor, or friend of someone who has experienced trauma."

Doudt was a 1966 Manchester graduate and a member of the education faculty for six years.

According to LifeRich Publishing, the book merges the journal entries with Ramer's insight as a secondary survivor on her journey of self-discovery to share an authentic, inspiring story of survival, hope, faith and unwavering love.

The program is sponsored by MU Counseling Services and Title IX Team.

Media Attachments

Heidi Ramer

'Her Words, My Voice' was released this winter.

Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out