Storytellers of Las Cruces president wins national award

Storytellers of Las Cruces (STLC) President Sarah Addison, who tells stories under the name “Juba,” has received an Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Network (NSN).

 Addison was one of four recipients of NSN’s regional service and leadership award.

An STLC member for 18 years, Addison has served several terms as president.

“It is no overstatement to say that she has transformed the group with her talent, vision, dedication and generosity,” STLC member Douglas Jackson said in his letter of support for her award nomination.

“Sarah was full of ideas when she first came and still is, and she shares her knowledge and makes other storytellers better,” Jackson quoted 60-year STLC member Pat Gill as saying about Addison.

“When Sarah tells a story, you are in it with her,” he quotes long-time STLC member Florence. “She did Cathy Williams justice. She became that soldier and you were marching right with her, afraid of getting caught.”

(“Cathy Williams was an African-American woman who in 1866 enlisted in the U.S. Army and served, disguised as a man, as a Buffalo Soldier,” Jackson said.)

“Juba’s tales have been a magical part of countless meetings, festivals, seminars, workshops, conventions, Tellabrations and other special events,” Jackson said in his letter.

“She has told stories at churches, schools, bookstores, art galleries, national parks and concert halls,” Jackson continued. “Her tales have been an integral part of our annual Storyfest honoring STLC founder Jennie Curry. We have been particularly inspired by the way Juba, a descendant of griots (West African historians, storytellers, poets, musicians, singers) frequently honored previous generations by sharing their stories.”

“She has voiced the sagas of those whose struggles and sacrifices have been ignored by history, frequently portraying the unsung heroes themselves,” Jackson said.

“Juba learned the art of storytelling from her grandmother Sarah Jane, a descendant of West African griots,” according to Addison’s biography on www.storytellersofnewmexico.org. “She is dedicated to performing, preserving and promoting traditional storytelling for people of all ages and cultures. Juba entertains audiences of adults, families and children with her repertories of folklore, fables and fairy tales, plus historical and inspirational stories.”

 Juba has performed at White Sands National Park, Fort Selden State Monument, the Border Book Festival in Las Cruces and the Chamizal Festival in El Paso.

Juba’s mission statement as stated on the Storytellers of New Mexico website is, “I share what I know so that others may grow.”

“We are so proud of the way that Juba has pursued her calling and her mission on larger and larger stages. Her presentations were highlights at national storytelling conventions. She has served with distinction on the board of Storytellers of New Mexico, including multiple terms as president. For the past six years she has been very active in NSN, and represented the western district on the NSN board with her usual high level of skill and dedication,” Jackson said in his letter of recommendation.

“It’s wonderful to be recognized by one's community and peers,” Addison said.

Visit www.facebook.com/storytellersoflascruces/ and https://storynet.org/awards/oracle.