Docent Program
Women of the Shoah
Docent Program Mission
The WS Docents are volunteer ambassadors for the mission of Women of the Shoah Jewish Placemaking and the monument “She Wouldn’t Take off Her Boots.” Through training throughout the year, they are equipped to lead tours on-site and in the community about the stories the monument represents and the lessons that they convey.
Many groups come to tours at the monument, including an average of 40-50 school tours a semester.
Docent applications are on a rolling basis, so apply today at the links provided below:
The Docent’s Role
Women of the Shoah Docents are the face of the organization for the thousands of people who tour the monument “She Wouldn’t Take off Her Boots” each year. They spread a powerful message throughout our region regarding the horrors of the Holocaust and the lessons it teaches us today. Docents get special access to trainings, guest speakers, and have an opportunity to become part of a learning community.
• Docents are encouraged to attend all training sessions, workshops, lectures, and other educational functions. Ongoing professional development is the key to a vibrant, informed docent corps.
• Docents are volunteer members of Women of the Shoah who may be asked to help design tours and do research on history relevant to the Shoah.
• Docents may help to build a library of resource materials for tour giving and for their own intellectual growth.
• Docents may provide outreach programs specializing in lectures, talks, and art making to school groups, senior groups, and other community organizations.
• Docents are mentors, supporters, and role models for new Candidate Docents.
• Docents are a voice in the community advocating for the importance of the “She Wouldn’t Take off Her Boots” as an essential community resource.
Programs That Women of the Shoah Docents Support
Spring 2024-Present
WSJP Fellowship - Over 153 NC Social Studies, English/Language Arts, and Art teachers have been accepted into the Women of the Shoah Teacher Fellowship Program, where they receive training and funding to bring their students on a field trip to the monument. WS Docents lead structured, 90-minute tours for these students.
Year-Round
Tours and Outreach Programs - Throughout the year, thousands of students and community groups visit the monument for a Women of the Shoah Docent-led tour or host Women of the Shoah’s Docents on-site at their community center or schools for presentations and arts activities.
Benefits of Being a Women of the Shoah Docent
Building Community
Docents are part of a learning community. It is a wonderful way to create connections through a shared belief in the importance of Holocaust Education.
Continuing Education
Docent Trainings include guest speakers from the field of Holocaust Education and beyond. These can be artists and performers, historians, educators, or more.
Field Trips
Docents go on occasional field trips to museums, artist studios, universities, and more. These field trips both strengthen a sense of community and knowledge of the Holocaust.
Luncheon
Each year, Women of the Shoah hosts a docent appreciation luncheon to thank docents for all the work that they did that year.
Docent Training
Docent training for Women of the Shoah involves a two-step process. New docents must attend an online, 100-minute Zoom training where the logistics of leading a tour, an overview of our programming, and the history behind the monument are shared. Docents will also be familiarized with the curriculum for middle and high school students, who are the largest audience that visits the monument.
Docents must also observe two tours at the monument before they are fully trained. They can either do the observations before or after the training online.
How Do I Become a Women of the Shoah Docent?
Interested parties fill out the online application found here. They will then be contacted by a representative from Women of the Shoah. If approved, they will then become a Women of the Shoah Docent Candidate.
WS Docent Candidates
All WS Docents begin as Docent Candidates and will be so until they complete the mandatory training.
This training includes:
Training in the historical background of the monument and the Women of the Shoah curriculum.
Training in how to lead a tour at the monument site.
Observing two tours as an assistant.
Conducting a tour with the support of another docent.
Approval by the Women of the Shoah Executive Director to transition to be an official Women of the Shoah Docent.
