Heather Gemmen
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| Heather Gemmen | |
| Born: | 4 April 1971 London, Ontario, Canada1 |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Author, Editor, Speaker |
| Genres: | Memoir, Children's literature |
| Influences: | Christianity |
| Website: | http://www.heathergemmen.com[ |
Heather Gemmen (4 April 1971 – ), is an author of children's books but is probably best known for her book, Startling Beauty. In this book, she describes becoming pregnant after being sexually assaulted while living and working for community development and racial reconciliation in the innercity. It describes her struggle with the decision to not only carry the baby to term but raise this little girl as her own instead of having an abortion.
Gemmen is an international speaker, advocating for pro-life issues, racial reconciliation, and Christian spiritual growth.
Gemmen's works have been translated into over 10 languages.
[edit] Biography
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Please see the discussion on the talk page. |
Heather Gemmen grew up in what many would consider an ideal setting: on a hobby farm in Canada where she rode horses, milked cows, and collected warm eggs from chickens and ducks.
Her father (Ollie Hiemstra) and mother (Willie Schinkle), both immigrants from the Netherlands, were Christian people who opened their home to numerous children in the foster care system—some of whom still claim this family as their own even as adults. Gemmen's siblings by birth are all older than her (Brian, Duane, Sandra, and Mark). Gemmen attended a private Christian school and was surrounded by good friends and relatives all her life.
Gemmen married (Steven Gemmen) in 1990, while they both attended Calvin College, a Christian liberal arts school in Grand Rapids Michigan. She became a US citizen in 1995. During her marriage, Gemmen gave birth to three children (Chad, Simon, and Rachael) and adopted one other (Deshawn). She used her BA in English to become a professional book editor. In 2004, her husband shocked and devastated the family by leaving. Heather remarried (Larry Wilson) a year later.
