Wendy Elliot
GRADE LEVEL: Adult
Grit and Grace in a World Gone Mad, by Wendy Elliott, is the personal history of a dedicated group of American and Canadian missionaries and relief workers who saved thousands of Armenian, Greek, and Turkish orphans from starvation, disease, and harm in the Talas region during the dying days of the
Ottoman Empire. From the initial jubilance of the Young Turk revolution, through the period of increased state repression, culminating in the violence and destruction of World War I and genocide, the courage and kindness of these remarkable humanitarians shine through as a beacon of light and hope.
Using diaries and letters to weave the story of these courageous women and men, Ms. Elliot has selected excerpts from her text for classroom use. Students will find these selections helpful in understanding American civilian awareness and action of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the personal impact of historical events.
