Claire ConnerClaire Conner—Florida author with Chicago roots, a Texas education and Wisconsin ties—blames a good ole Southern boy for her memoir, Wrapped in the Flag. Claire explains, “A few years ago, I ran across a William Faulkner quote that jarred me into telling my story. The past is not dead, he said. In fact, it’s not even past."Family Ties
In the Conner family, extremism was normal and rigid correctness was demanded, under the pretense of saving the country from Communism and saving her soul from hell. When Claire started seeing and hearing her parents’ old ideas revived and re-branded for the 2010s, she knew Faulkner’s observation was right on target.
Claire was twelve when her parents took a hard right turn with the John Birch Society, the grandfather of today’s right-wing insurgency. At first, eager to gain the approval of her mercurial parents, she embraced everything they embraced. As she matured, however, she began to disagree. At first, it was just a whisper here and a tiny “no” there, but every little rebellion made her stronger.
The final break from her parents caused tremendous upheaval, leaving a rift that never healed.
“Extremism broke my family,” Claire says. “I don’t want it to break my country.”
Wrapped in the Flag is the culmination of four years work, but Claire feels that her preparation began long before she wrote a word. In 1967, she earned a degree in English (with honors) from the University of Dallas. Twenty years later, she completed her Master’s degree in Teaching English. In 1987, she spent four months in Shenyang, China teaching English to Chinese professionals, a trip she credits with changing her view of “nearly everything.”
Life Experience
In 1988, Claire was named Student Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English. She taught English to seventh and eighth graders at the Marshfield Junior High School in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Claire served as a member of the “Restructuring Education Task Force” for the School District of Marshfield in 1993.
For over ten years, Claire was the director of the Marshfield chapter of Wisconsin Citizens Concerned for Life, now Wisconsin Right to Life. She spoke extensively to students in area high schools, to church and parent groups. Her reconsideration of the no-exceptions approach to reproductive issues marked a major milestone in her personal and political evolution. “Women face excruciating choices,” Claire says. “In taking such a black-and-white approach to the issues, I’m afraid I was not helpful.”
In 1991, Claire joined the management team of Marshfield Furniture, the company originally owned by her father. In her capacity as Vice President of Operations, she negotiated corporate financing, revamped the manufacturing systems and developed internal training programs.
Claire’s community involvement gave her numerous opportunities to hone her speaking skills. She has addressed the Marshfield Rotary Club, the Lions Club and numerous church and school groups over the years she lived in Marshfield, and she looks forward to discussing Wrapped in the Flag with audiences large and small.
Claire is the mother of four grown children. One day, not too many years ago, one of her sons asked, “Why were my grandparents so crazy?”
“I hope this book helps my children understand what extremism looks like,” Claire says. “Every word I write is dedicated to my children, and others just like them, who want to understand.”
Claire lives in Florida with her husband, Bob, and their little dog, Conner.
Book Claire to Speak at Your Organization’s Event
>> CLICK HERE to download Claire’s speaker information pdf.