“Jeanne d’Arc”
by Paula Ferrebus (16),
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
“Joan of Arc was only 13 when she started having divine visions that instructed her to take up her sword and deliver Orléans from the barbaric Saxons. In 1429, she set out to free Orléans from the English in the name of the king. She became a military leader and known as the savior of France, but the Catholic Church grew suspicious, for how could a woman be led by God in such a way? Unless her sword was being guided by a different power and this young girl was a witch who spoke the Lord’s name in blasphemy. She was burned at the stake for her sins and her service—stripped of her gleaming armor and with her eyes to the skies.”