AMONG THOSE attending yesterday’s Unity Celebration were, front row, from left: Galvin Middle School grade 5 students Ismael Morales III, Marian Diallo and Hawa Sheriff and Wakefield Resident Award recipient Merry Eldridge. Back row, from left: Keynote speaker Mehreen N. Butt, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Smith, State Rep. Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose) and State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus/Wakefield). Not present for the photo were award winners Maeve Conway and Amanda Bruce. (Gail Lowe Photo)
Published in the January 17, 2017 edition.
By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — One non-profit organization and two Wakefield residents were presented service awards for their humanitarian and civil rights work on Monday morning, Jan. 16 at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Celebration held at the Galvin Middle School.
Recognized for their exemplary service were Wakefield Memorial High School senior Maeve Conway (Student Award), social activist Merry Eldridge (Wakefield Resident Award) and Counseling Services of Greater Boston (Wakefield Business or Non-Profit Award).
The awards — called Inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Service Awards — were given for the first time since the formation of Wakefield’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) in November 2015. Several hundred people turned out for the event.
Conway is a member of the Social Awareness Club and oversees the Best Buddies program at the high school.
“Maeve is constantly promoting fairness and equity,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Smith before presenting the award to Conway. “She advocates for women’s and others’ rights. She is truly an impressive young lady. Maeve makes the town more inclusive for people with disabilities.”
Before State Rep. Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose), along with State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus/Wakefield), made the award presentation to Eldridge he said that “progress (in the area of tolerance) is still needed.”
“The story of slavery is the story of a nation becoming better,” Brodeur commented. “Our work will not be done until we fully embrace everyone.”
About Eldridge, he commented, “She is one of the most active and friendly residents devoted to human rights.”
Her involvements include the Wakefield Adult Mentoring and Wakefield Alliance Against Violence programs. She is also a director of the Hartshorne House on Church Street, the town’s oldest home.
Eldridge commented that it is “always a pleasure to give back.” In accepting the honor, she also recognized her husband Bob Eldridge.
Counseling Services of Greater Boston offers mental health services and provides a comfortable space for all clients, said State Senator Jason Lewis, who presented the award to Amanda Bruce on the organization’s behalf.
In Wakefield, Counseling Services of Greater Boston has served 1,500 clients since 2012, he said.
The event began with opening remarks from William Chetwynd, chairman of the HRC. Chetwynd offered thanks to Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio, Police Chief Rick Smith and School Committee and HRC members for their humanitarian efforts.
He commented, “We are all brothers and sisters, and we must work together.
“This world is our world, and we must love each other,” he continued. “The first thing we should do each day is perform a loving act of kindness.” Chetwynd called for everyone present to reflect on Dr. King’s message.
Rich Greif, board member of the HRC, spoke briefly about the inaugural awards and an invocation by Glenn Mortimer, pastor of the Wakefield/Lynnfield United Methodist Church followed.
A vocal performance of “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant Us Peace) was then given by members of the Wakefield Interfaith Chorus. The event continued with poetry readings by Galvin Middle School grade 5 students Mariam Diallo, Ismael Morales III and Hawa Sheriff accompanied by Joel Villegas, Wakefield METCO director. High school students Matthew Blois and Caitlyn Murray continued with a reading of Maya Angelou’s “Abundant Hope” and excerpts from Dr. King’s speech “I Have a Dream.”
Rounding out the program were high school students Melydia McCall and Elisabeth Nordeen’s vocalization of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” accompanied on piano by Jackson Kehoe and members of the Wakefield Interfaith Chorus singing “We Shall Overcome” (Pete Seeger version), “If I Can Help Somebody” (Alma Bazel) and “We would Be One” (Wright/Sibelius).
During his brief statement, Sen. Lewis gave his views on unity from the perspective of being an immigrant from South Africa where he was exposed to apartheid at age 12.
He spoke about the state of Massachusetts being a “beacon of progress” and its multiple firsts, including being the first state to abolish slavery, the first to offer free public education, the first to offer universal health care and the first to approve gay marriage and transgender rights.
Sen. Lewis also mentioned the potential rollback of rights with the new administration coming on Friday, Jan. 20.
“We must stand together and strive for social and economic justice,” he said.
HRC member Pina Masciarelli-Patel introduced keynote speaker Mehreen N. Butt, an attorney from Wakefield who is also a director of public policy at Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for low-income and homeless women in Boston. Butt said she identifies as a Muslim and commented that 50 percent of Americans have a negative opinion of Muslim people, and another 30 percent say that Muslims should carry IDs that identify them as members of the religion.
She spoke about the existence of racism and phobias and the importance of diversity. Her approach to becoming more diverse includes the appreciation of art and music in other cultures. She also encourages people to read books about diverse populations. She said she promotes the “friending of others.”
“Visit a place of worship other than your own,” she advised. “Be active in protecting your Constitutional rights. Stand up and speak out when you see an injustice. And don’t give up.”
In his benediction Rabbi Gregory Hersch from Temple Emmanuel of Wakefield quoted Dr. King: “Live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools.”
During a time when the country was divided by hatred, anger and fear Dr. King also said, “We cannot keep doing this to one another. We are not each other’s enemies.”
Appreciation and thanks were extended to St. Joseph School and the Odyssey School for their artwork honoring the legacy of Dr. King, the high school’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the METCO program and the Galvin Middle School custodial staff.
The event was followed by refreshments in the school’s cafeteria. Food donations for the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry were also collected for delivery to the Pantry.
