"Never during my lifetime have I witnessed a 'white woman warrior and partner in the pursuit of eradicating racial hatred at the expense of her own safety and wellbeing. Sharon Marie Chester has the receipts and wounds for taking a stance against bigotry, racial intolerance and unacknowledged white privilege. Unfortu nately, few of us are willing to take on the fight of such a noble cause while enduring threats, retaliation and alienation for taking a stand. Her memoir is a must read and will challenge you to pick up the mantie of equality, equity and racial justice. Far too many of us have become desensitized and indifferent towards the plight of those who are oppressed and simply go on to enjoy the fruits of our privilege without consideration of historical and present harm." Andrew Wilson, MSW, LCSW, BACS President Emeritus, Association of Black Social Workers North West LA

The intergenerational struggle for justice requires voices that speak when others are silent. However, It has been the voices of White women that have been most silent. In 1833, Lydia Child broke that silence with her book: An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans. Following in the spirit of Mrs. Child, Sharon Marie Chester's Memoirs of an Accidental Abolitionist provides an introspective framework on race and racism for the arduous process of deconstructing Whiteness and reconstructing a worldview with a vocabulary for understanding and truth" Hamza A. Khabir, PhD, MPhil MPA

have known Sharon Marie Chester since 1982, when she was a fledgling social worker awhere I was worked as a secretary in the department. I admired her instantly for the outspoken advocate she was then, and respect her even more now as she has grown more fearless, passionate, and knowledgeable than any white person I know on the subject of racism and antiracism. She has educated and inspired me, the granddaughter of a Klansman, to become more aware of my own white privilege, white supremacy, and the smothering blanket of systemic racism. She is adamant that white people should lead the charge against these inhumane institutions, and she has been a role model for me, personally and professionally, as a White woman in the South who is willing to speak up, step up, and challenge the fraternity of racism" Vicki L. Turner, MSW, BSN, RN