Janine Ferren, RPR, CRR, a freelance reporter based in Fishers, Indiana, recently shared a deeply personal story about her new tattoo on social media. In an interview with JCR Weekly, she revealed the touching inspiration behind the ink and what it represents. This tattoo isn’t just skin deep; it’s a powerful display of family love and professional heritage.
JCR | Can you describe the tattoo you got?
JF | My tattoo beautifully combines my late parents’ signatures, united by a heart at the center. On the heart’s left side, my mother’s elegant handwriting spells out “Love, Mommy.” The right side features “Love you, Daddy” in my father’s handwriting, but with a special, personal touch. My dad was a court reporter and often wrote me letters using steno. Recently, I rediscovered one of these cherished letters, signed “HRUF U DAED” (love you, Daddy) in steno shorthand. While stenographers would recognize that the first ‘D’ in ‘daddy’ should technically be ‘TK’ (TKAED), he playfully wrote it as a ‘D,’ and I decided to keep it exactly as he wrote it in the tattoo. The tattoo is placed on my inner right forearm. It still amazes me to look down and see my parents’ actual signatures permanently with me.
JCR | What sparked the idea for this heartfelt tattoo?
JF | Shortly after losing my parents, my sister, who is also a court reporter, gifted me a keychain bearing both of their signatures. Around the same time, I admired a friend, an attorney, who has a simple yet meaningful “Love, Dad” tattoo. These two elements resonated deeply and planted the seed for this tattoo idea. The idea truly blossomed when my son was completing his training to become a tattoo artist. I knew instantly that I wanted him to create this very special tattoo for me, adding another layer of profound meaning. When he finished, I was overcome with emotion, not from the tattooing itself, but from the overwhelming realization that my son had just tattooed his grandparents’ signatures onto my skin. It was a deeply moving experience.
JCR | Where did your father practice court reporting?
JF | My father began his court reporting career in the 1950s in the intense environment of the New York City District Attorney’s homicide division. He was there on the scene, reporting statements at murder investigations. Later, he transitioned to freelance work, a role he cherished until his retirement well after the age of 75. He genuinely loved being a court reporter; it was his passion.
JCR | Was your father’s profession the inspiration for you to become a court reporter as well? At what age did you decide on this career path?
JF | Absolutely, my father’s career was directly responsible for my becoming a court reporter! I started typing transcripts for him when I was just 15 years old. Initially, he would dictate his steno notes, and I would transcribe the recordings from Stenorette reels. Later, during my senior year of high school, one of his typists taught me to read steno, and I continued transcribing his work until I became a reporter myself. Although I initially pursued music in college, studying classical piano and earning a bachelor’s degree, during the summer before my junior year, I had a career shift. I realized that my true path wasn’t music but court reporting. I was 19 at the time. I will never forget the look of pure pride on my dad’s face when I shared my decision. For the next two years, I balanced full-time college with part-time court reporting school, attending college five days a week and court reporting school two nights a week. I graduated college and reported my very first deposition just two weeks later!
JCR | You mentioned plans for another steno-related tattoo?
JF | Yes! I know of a couple of other reporters who have similar tattoos. My next tattoo will incorporate a heart, a peace sign, and the steno keyboard, spelling out “Peace Love Steno.” And of course, my son will be the artist behind the design and tattoo work!
JCR | In recognition of Celebrate Certification Month, is there anything you’d like to share about your certifications?
JF | I’ve been an RPR for over 30 years and a CRR for 25 years. Since the late 90s, I’ve only had one remaining section to pass for the RMR – the testimony portion – and I hadn’t actively pursued it. However, knowing that I will lose my existing passed sections under the new Exam Retention Policy if I don’t complete the final section by October 1st, I am now determined to earn my RMR before that deadline. I joined an online practice group earlier this year to help me prepare for the test. I am very proud of the certifications I hold. While they aren’t legally required to practice in my state, they demonstrate my commitment to professionalism. They show that I invested the time to practice, take, and pass rigorous exams, and that I consistently earn continuing education credits to maintain these certifications. Earning my RPR as a young reporter significantly boosted my confidence, a feeling that has stayed with me throughout my career. I am looking forward to enhancing that confidence even further by achieving my next certification!
