We held our annual Installation and Recognition Dinner on June 8. Azar Gordon again transformed the meeting room into a delightful, colorful space. Eric Sandhusen served as our affable emcee, keeping the evening moving. Lucy Lettis served as installer, calling on our new board members and committee chairs to work together as a cohesive unit. Each person was asked to take a ribbon and place it across another’s to indicate how all our paths intersect; the result is the photo above. Bob Gordon awarded 25-year membership pins to Richard Abbott, Linda Bennett, Marc Bernstein, Barbara Cerwin, Mary Ann Claxton, Mary Comins, Fritzi Garval, Rita Goldenberg, Bea Gopoian, Jim and Barbara Griffin, Diane Koszarski, Gloria Smith, Alice Weissman, and Ethel Wertman. Fifty-year pins were awarded to Helene Farber and Jean Strickholm.
Elaine Fondiller spoke about our Selene Katz Scholarship winner, Jahwan Williams. Joe Chuman spoke about Peter Kelley, who was awarded the Anna Garlin Spencer Volunteer award, posthumously, at this year’s AEU Assembly. Joe also awarded the Jack Rubenstein Ethical Humanist Award to Johanna Calle, Director of the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice. Johanna spoke personally and passionately about the lives of immigrants in today’s political climate and her work in getting communities to sign on as “fair and welcoming.” It was a lovely evening and we look forward to seeing you all next year.
Susan Lesh
