Cara Larsen’s Lending Library making impact on Hattiesburg

BY ABIGAIL TROTH SM2 EXECUTIVE EDITOR

If you catch a paper swan hidden around Hattiesburg, you will have discovered #OperationSecretSwan.

These tiny swans are a partner to the Paper Boat Autism Library, a special project started by Cara Larsen.

Cara Larsen is an autistic woman who has devoted her life to ensuring that autism has been properly represented and taught to the world around her. Larsen first started the library in 2019, when she held her first lending event with books that feature

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would eat at a hamburger place on campus called Wimpy’s every day. However, one of the FBI’s asked her to never go and eat at Wimpy’s. Why?

One day, at Branch’s grandmother’s house, a Hattiesburg police officer attempted to dangerously harm her, but he ended up physically abusing her.

“I would say he tried to kill me one time. He hit me in my head with a leg of a chair. I’ve never stood down, and I’ve never been afraid,” Branch said.

On the day that Branch and Arm- proper autism representation.

“By then, I’d been thinking about it for a few years because I’d heard about an autism acceptance lending library in California, and one in Washington State, and I decided to start one here,” Larsen said.

The library mostly functions as a resource for autism representation and provides books such as The Obsessive Joy, Planet Earth is Blue and A Kind of Spark.

“Paper Boat is important to me because when I was growing up there wasn’t a lot of good autistic representation in books. So today, I want to collect books that represent autistic strong went into Wimpy’s, after being warned not to go, she saw six bodyguards in the restaurant.

Branch identified one of the six bodyguards inside of Wimpy’s as the police officer that hit her in the head with a chair.

“When I realized that he was one of the bodyguards, I told Elaine, ‘Guess where we are?’ And she said, ‘Where?’ I said, ‘We are in WIMPY’S. And she just turned red and said, ‘We are not supposed to be here,’” Branch said.

Not only did Branch face triggering encounters such as this one, but she also experienced what could have people accurately and respectfully and share them,” Larsen said. been a tragedy on USM’s Hattiesburg campus.

Despite the recent advancements made relating to autism and neurodiversity in the 21st century, autism still has many harmful stigmas and stereotypes surrounding it. Because of this, Larsen has aimed to educate her community on just how important proper autism education is.

Alongside the lending library, #OperationSecretSwan operates through encouraging messages for the community as it relates to autism. Larsen crafts origami swans herself and writes small and encouraging notes on the side.

Branch gives credit to Dr. William D. McCain, who was the president at the time of her enrollment at Southern Miss, for stopping this dangerous act.

“The Klan wanted to come on campus and burn a cross,” Branch said. “Dr. McCain told them that they would not burn a cross on our campus.”

After dismissing the Klan’s proposal to come to campus, McCain stated in a meeting, “School and classes will go on as usual.” McCain took care of it all, and Branch is truly grateful for that to this very day.

Autism acceptance is something that has become incredibly important to Larsen, as she has been personally affected by the harmful stigma surrounding it.

“[I want] to help to dispel stereotypes about autism and to help people understand that awareness alone is not enough. That we need acceptance.” Larsen said.

If you are interested in learning more information on the Paper Boat Autism Library, you can contact Larsen by email at paperboatlibrary@ gmail.com or follow her on instagram @autismlibraryms.

There are many more stories, incidents, victories and triumphs that Branch has experienced in her life, even outside of attending USM. Branch has been a professional nursing educator as well as a US Air Force Reserve officer.

At 82 years old now, Branch is assisting the student-doctors of osteopathy at William Carey University. Branch’s name will forever be known, valued and respected at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Deputy State Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor revisited the University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg campus after graduating more than 30 years ago. Dr. Taylor’s professional career spans from first starting as a teacher, then principal, to district superintendent, until then landing as the Deputy State Superintendent of Instruction. He met with faculty and education students to discuss his responsibilities as superintendent and detail the significance of his experiences in each occupation. Dr. Taylor explained that during his prior employment, he would help teachers by developing programs for them. But now as a state superintendent, he helps entire school districts in Mississippi develop their own programming while “managing the department of education and working with the governor and legislator.”

His vision involves creating an impact on a local level, and he wants to make education “something useful for the state’s children.” He went into more detail about this vision he shares with his colleagues: “We want them to graduate knowing their options, to be either career or college ready, by giving them the education they need to live in the world they occupy. We do that by making sure every community has the resources they need to make their schools useful for their children,” he said.

Those who got the opportunity to listen in on Dr. Taylor’s meeting appreciated hearing his vision and insight. Many commended the respect and regard he has for each person in the school environment, as he knows it takes many parts to make a whole. Because of his experience as a teacher and principal, Dr. Taylor understands the necessity of every employee and works to serve those who need it.

Dr. Taylor’s enthusiasm and support toward educators were greatly appreciated by current students and staff and were the perfect motivation to continue advocating for the future of education.