Are you ready for a new ArtRoot Writer in Residence? Ready or not, here I come!

The next 6 months of my residency will focus on two topics: Racine and disability awareness. My goal is to be a source of engaging content and to leave an impactful  impression.

Writing stories that make an impact allows me to fulfill my mission to generate more empathy and unity.

Throughout my tenure, I hope you feel encouraged to pursue the avenues you want to explore, knowing that fear could’ve held me back from applying for this very position, but it didn’t.

Now, as your 21st ArtRoot Writer in Residence, welcome aboard, and before we kick things off, continue reading to learn more about my roots in Racine.

Reintroducing myself to Racine

My byline, Emma Widmar, may look familiar. The reason is that, for four years, I had the privilege of writing for all of you on behalf of the Racine County Eye.

My position as a journalist was fulfilling.

I had the opportunity to tell stories about what was happening in our community, build trust with neighbors, and unfold Racine’s truth.

A new business would open up in town, and I had the privilege of writing features about how someone’s dream of owning a shop came to be. How cool is that?

If a fundraiser or event was happening in town, I served as the messenger to inform our community about the event.

I was immersed in this community and felt like Racine’s biggest cheerleader.

When I wrote Racine’s stories, every fiber in me wanted the story to be impactful and truthful.

As a journalist, I had to share stories involving trauma and tragedy. When writing about sensitive topics, I was intentional about being neutral and direct.

Striving to seek the truth, report the facts, and remain ethical through it all was my priority.

Following a four-year stretch of reporting, my time writing for the local news outlet came to an end. My passion was my job and the people I served, but complications from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) led to the end of my endeavor.

As an individual with chronic conditions, the virus attacked my body in a way that would not allow me to continue to write and recover.

I began writing for the Racine County Eye at the start of the pandemic. Racine has stuck with me through my own chronic health issues, and through it all, it is this community that has always supported my writing and creative endeavors.

You all stuck with me through every high and low in our community and my own personal life. Its been over two years since I wrote intentionally.

I put down the pen and paper for a moment, but my passion of writing and connecting with Racine is still alive within me.

Picking up the pen again

Now, I am back, refreshed and ready to write.

(I want to preface by stating that I am an individual on disability with multiple chronic conditions that are ever-changing. As the ArtRoot Writer-in-Residence, I am able to explore a new avenue that allows me to write in a flexible setting.

I am so excited to have a space again, to write, with you all about two topics I am beyond passionate about: Racine and disability awareness.

As a former journalist, I always had the goal to bring visibility to Racine, and as your 21st Art Root Writer-in-Residence, I hope to do the same.

Before we dive into 6 months of stories, take the time to learn more about me.

Roots in Racine

My roots in Racine date back to when Ronald Betker, my Poppy (grandfather), and his family settled here for work opportunities. The line of farmers in my family pursued jobs in this very town thanks to manufacturing. They settled here and established roots.

It feels amazing to know, a hundred years later, Racine is still providing life-changing opportunities for the same family. I may not work in a factory, but being the ArtRoot Writer-in-Residence is an opportunity that I am certain will have an impact on my life.

My Grandma, Kathleen (Fraker) Betker, came here from the south side of Chicago to be with her love, Ron. She left the big city and found a community that she loved.

My grandparents have both died now, but as a child, I recall my grandma sharing that she viewed Racine as the biggest small town. Although Racine really isn’t a small town, she felt that in this community, everyone knows everyone, and we are all connected.

My Poppy and Grandma raised three children here, including my mom, the eldest, Ann (Betker) Widmar. My mom’s two siblings are Laura Betker and Jim Betker.

Devotion to this place came naturally to my family. I truly believe that my love for Racine came from them because of their endless devotion and involvement in this city and county.

My Grandpa worked for Western Publishing Company for nearly 40 years. He was a member of the Racine Jaycees, the Johnson Wax Chorus, and Bookbinder’s Union #223. My favorite fact about him is that he even ran for mayor once!

My grandparents were involved in the catholic church community, attending the former St. Stanislaus to the St. Paul Apostolic parish.

My mom and her siblings were raised in the public schools. Then, they became educators in the Racine/Kenosha area, too.

They participated in the city’s park and recreation department and later became employed by the department. They’ve coached, they’ve held positions of leadership, and wherever they went, they held their connection to Racine.

I believe that my ancestors had a piece of their heart invested in Racine. That same piece of passion for the place we call home thrives within me. I saw what this community did for them. They leaned into the schools, the businesses, and the people. I like to think I’ve followed suit.

Born into the community

Although my dad, Mark Widmar, is from Kenosha, my parents settled in Mount Pleasant.

For the past 27 years of my life, I’ve lived in the same house. I grew up attending Gifford School, Starbuck Middle School, and Park High School. I went on to earn a degree in Professional Communications from Gateway Technical College.

All I have ever known is Racine County, and I’m thankful for how it’s shaped me.

As a child, my brother Max Widmar and I attended the City of Racine’s summer playground program. I was a Racine Belle. I tried but didn’t succeed at becoming Miss Racine. I grew up taking classes at the Racine Art Museum and still enjoy dabbling in the art courses they offer. I find joy in shopping at many of Racine’s local stores. You can always find me with my dog, Zander, exploring the parks offered within our city and county, too. I never pass up local music or events happening around Racine County, either.

My fiance, Dylan, or as we like to call him, “DD,” and I love camping and bee-bopping all around Wisconsin. Checking out small towns and downtowns is one of our favorite pastimes. We love acting as tourists in our own town, too.

In addition to all the activities I love to do around Racine, my joy in life comes from being an Aunt. DD and I have enough nephews and nieces to start our own sports team, and what a gift it is to have each of them in our lives.

Invested in Racine

Back to growing up, I hope to paint a picture that shows how invested I’ve been in the place I call home.

Every job I’ve ever held, from the time I was in high school working at RADD- Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled, to taking over the social media and being a barista on the side at The Branch @ 1501, throughout college, where I had a journalism internship, to my full-time gig with Racine County Eye, every single job has been in this community.

Discovering my disability

All I have ever known is this place. This place is what it is because of the people. That brings me to speak about my disability.

As a child, I was sickly, and by the time I became a teen, I was riddled with symptoms far too complex for anyone to comprehend. I spent my teens and early adulthood, seeking out medical care throughout the Midwest.

Racine’s various medical practices helped shape me into who I’ve become. It was during my trials that I learned what integrity looks like and how support feels.

When I relied on Ascension or Aurora’s emergency department through my teenage years into adulthood, it was those caretakers who saved me. It’s nurses, phlebotomists, techs, imaging specialists, and beyond who paid attention to my unique needs.

The support and encouragement that I have received through my discovery of my disability has given me the confidence to own this part of my identity. It is who I am, and although my life looks different from that of an individual without disabilities, it’s my disability that fosters feelings of hope and roots for change.

Long story short, I have a laundry list of chronic conditions that impact my daily living. I live with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Dysautonomia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Hereditary Angioedema, Neuropathy and other odds and ends.

Summarizing my story is quite challenging as it is complex. I encourage you to read the article I wrote for Rare Disease Day to learn more about me: HERE.

Rooting for Racine

As the 21st ArtRoot Writer-in-Residence, I hope to give insight as to various topics that impact a person’s life when they have a disability. I want to raise awareness about what often goes unnoticed and unheard of in this sector. Most importantly, I want to remind everyone that we are all more alike than we are different. Sure, I have disability, and maybe you don’t, but common among all of us is that we are all going through something or have gone through something in life that impacts who we are.

Each of us has our own story being written.

When I applied for this position, my intent if granted the opportunity, was to build empathy within our community. My goal is to make you think and challenge yourself to be a better version of yourself.

I believe by sharing our stories, we are using our voices, which is a powerful tool that can change the world. By sharing my own experiences, I hope to open your eyes to my experiences and remind you how vastly different someone else’s experiences may be. Each of our stories are valid.

If you never read anything over the course of my residency, that’s okay.

If there is one theme that you can remember, that you can hold onto and work to keep alive within you, let it be this:

Our stories build our community. Each of us is uniquely connected, although we are so vastly different. Opening our hearts to acknowledge our differences and accepting our uniqueness fosters compassion that will fuel a future that’s limitless. Empathy is the tool that allows us to see ourselves in someone else’s shoes.

Find me at The Inclusive Bean

My residency will take place at The Inclusive Bean, 1930 Albert St., in Racine. This is a local non-profit, that proudly employs individuals with disabilities. The coffee shop builds and inclusive and caring community. 

If you see me out and about, whether at The Inclusive Bean or in Racine, let’s chat!

Last but not least, thank you

Dear Racine, thank you for my life. Thank you for being my roots.

With love,

Emma Rose

Want to connect with the 21st ArtRoot Writer in Residence? Email Emma at emmawidmarwrites@gmail.com. Subscribe so you don’t miss out on any weekly posts. Follow ArtRoot on Facebook to stay in the loop.