Michelle sits with June Le Masters Davison

Committing Journeys to Ink

Every trail begins with a single step, and every story starts with a single word. For Michelle Letcher, these paths have always intertwined. After devoting three decades to military leadership, Michelle has found a new mission in telling stories that otherwise might be forgotten. Dive into Michelle’s work to discover captivating, heartfelt stories that span—and last—for generations.

Michelle’s Work

Ju-Ju-Junie in the Middle

The cover of Ju-Ju-Junie in the Middle, by June Le Masters Davison and Michelle M.T. Letcher

“Girls aren’t supposed to tattle!” That’s the rules! 

I am not sure who made the rules, but I am in the sixth grade and, for as long as I can remember, teachers and grown-ups remind me not to be a tattletale.

I remember, way back when I was a second grader, Mrs. Daly had a cat tail that she hung up on the blackboard. It was from a costume, long and black, and stuffed with cotton. It stuck out like it was from a scaredy cat and pointed straight into the sky.

She had a safety pin on it and she stuck it next to the American Flag. Every day, when we would say the Pledge of Allegiance, I would see it hanging there and be reminded not to tattle.

If a kid tattled…well, Mrs. Daly made you wear that tail…tattletale. She would pin the long black cat tail to your dress, right on your back side and make you wear it on the playground for the entire recess.

I never remember a boy wearing it. Only the girls. 

One time, Eddie was making fun of my brother Bob and the way he stutters. I told the teacher, and she said, “June, you are gonna wear the “tattle-tail.” All the kids laughed, pointed, and stayed away from me. 

I think she wanted to make me feel bad about speaking up. I think she wanted to teach me a lesson, but all I learned that day was that I couldn’t trust Mrs. Daly.

I think that’s a horrible lesson to teach anyone. To teach a girl that when something bad happens, that she can’t tell, or she will be punished. To teach a girl that if she speaks up, she will be embarrassed.

This is especially hard when you have a brother who has a hard time in school. I have to watch out for Bob, and, because of that, I must speak up.