Lynn C. Tolson learned that her memoir, Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story, is required reading at Towson University. In the department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice, "Beyond the Tears" was selected for the Criminal Justice: Issues in Domestic Violence course. Professor Marion Cockey, Ph.D, has her students write a self-reflection paper.
One student said, "Yes it was required reading and everyone loved it.”
“I just wanted to tell you that your book was truly inspiring and helpful to me.”
“My experiences resonated through Lynn’s, throughout her entire story, ranging from her feelings, to her situations, to her reactions to her experiences and to not knowing the impact her experiences have on the person she became. While reading I related to Lynn as if she could read my mind.”
The fact that Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor’s Story was selected as required reading indicates that the memoir can be a powerful teaching tool in courses pertaining to sociology, psychology, criminal justice, and social work.