WS Docent Program
Women of the Shoah
Docent Program Mission
The WS Docents are ambassadors for the mission of Women of the Shoah Jewish Placemaking and the monument “She Wouldn’t Take off Her Boots.” Through extensive 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. The WSJP Docent Program is supported by the Edward M. Armfield Foundation.
The Docent’s Role
WS 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. Docent’s 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 slide 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 WSJP Docent’s Support
Spring 2024
WSJP Fellowship - 25 Middle and High School teachers in the Guilford County School District receive training and funding to bring their students to the monument and enact the curriculum in their classrooms. WS Docents lead tours for these students.
Summer 2024
Placemaking - The Greensboro Contemporary Jewish Museum curates a 2 day long symposium full of interdisciplinary and intergenerational public and educational programs meant to activate the site of the monument for diverse communities. WS Docent’s play an important role in staffing and helping to coordinate these initiatives.
Fall 2024
8th Grade Guilford County School District Field Trips - Plans are being made with GCS to schedule field trips from classes throughout the district to the Monument.
Year-Round
Tours and Outreach Programs - Throughout the year, thousands of students and community groups visit the monument for a WS Docent-led tour or host WS Docent’s on-site at their community center or schools for presentations and arts activities.
Benefits of Being a WS Docent
Building Community
WS 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
WS Docents go on occasional field trips to museums, artist studios, universities, and more. These field trips both strengthen docent’s sense of community and their knowledge of the Shoah.
Luncheon
Each year, WS hosts a catered docent appreciation luncheon to thank docents for all the work that they did that year.
Docent Training
Docent Trainings occur at VCM Studio located in Downtown Greensboro. They are meant to create a learning community between WS Docents; an opportunity to review logistics; and offer continuing education on the theme of the Shoah.
The agenda will be set by WS Executive Director and the WS Docent President. The trainings will begin with a business meeting to discuss on-going projects, upcoming tours, and other logistics. Trainings may include guest speakers who are artists, educators, historians, or experts in the field. They also may contain presentations by other WSJP Docents on themes of their choosing.
How Do I Become a WS Docent?
Interested parties fill out the online application found here. They will then be contacted by a representative from WS. If approved, they will then become a WS 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:
• The appointment of a WS Docent Mentor.
• Attendance to at least two docent training sessions.
• Conducting an on-site tour for the WS Docent Mentor and receiving feedback.
• Conducting an on-site tour with a class while being shadowed by WSJP Docent Mentor.
• Written approval by WS Docent President to transition to be an official WSJP Docent.
