Celine Fender Oral History Interview

My interview with Celine was filled with laughter but also quite a few somber moments. Between hearing she was named after Celine Dion and how she wants to make Coralville’s nickname “the ville,” she told me stories about being a care-taker for then partner’s mother when she had cancer and unlearning her own internalized prejudices. For her, Coralville is the place where she became an adult – both in the joys and the struggle, and her stories ultimately reflect that.

Jin Chang

Celine Fender

Coralville Public Library