Inspiration
Bob Murphy advised that the poet T. S. Eliot in his poem “The Wasteland” stated that “April is the cruelest month”. The poet and essayist Marty Rubin counters with the statement that “April is the kindest month - it gets you out of your head and into your garden”. Inspired by Mr. Rubin, Bob will begin his Spring gardening regimen this afternoon.
Announcements
Wendy Marcus announced that the following Rotarians have April birthdays : Herb Altman, Kris David, Jan Feyler, Sharon Garland, Anthony Hollingshead, Mike Kelly, and Peter Loescher.
Mary Brewster announced that the Tent Suppers to benefit Ukrainian refugees through the Rotary International Disaster Fund are continuing. Kris David held one on April 2, which was attended by former Providence Rotarian Ken Conde. Three more are to be held on April 22, 23 & 30 and openings are available.
Holly Applegate advised she had spoken to Paul Segal’s wife Roberta, who advised Paul is now in Home Hospice and would welcome calls and visits.
Holly reminded the group of the Rotary After Dark events – Rotary Game Night on April 14th from 5:30 to 7:00 at Rob Black’s home; and the evening at The Players at Barker Playhouse on May 19th at 7:30. The Play is Stephen Sondheim’s “Putting It Together.”
Art Norwalk announced that the Club is sponsoring a program of reading to Harry Kizirian Elementary School students on 4 days, April 11 to April 14. The readings will be in 45 minute segments in the morning and afternoon sessions.
Happy Bucks
- Margaret Kane for Providence College Coach Ed Cooley being named Coach of The Year and for the team’s great season.
- Wendy Marcus for a great family visit to Austin Texas to celebrate her sister-in-law’s 60th birthday and for the Woman’s Basketball Team of her Alma Mater, University of South Carolina, on winning the National Championship.
- Cap Willey for good news & bad - bad is for a coyote on his property - good is for no geese.
- Pete Brock - happiness is a chore and he wakes up every day and chooses happiness.
- Holly Applegate – for the great weekend with Bill, and friends Walter Cotter & Sharon Carpentier, at Barry Fain’s apartment in NYC; celebrating Bill and their son Austin’s birthdays; and receiving the news of expecting a new grandson in October.
Speaker
The Club was addressed by Taylor Dumpson, daughter of Club member Kim Dumpson. Ms. Dumpson advised she was raised by her mother with Rotarian values and encouraged to speak out and stand up for what is right and just. She has been inspired by the devotion of her mother and her ancestors to the Civil Rights cause.
Ms. Dumpson attained a BA degree at American University in Washington DC and A Juris Doctor degree from the Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University in New York City. She is currently employed as an attorney at The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights in Washington DC. At American University in 2017 Ms. Dumpson was elected President of The Student Government becoming the first Black woman to hold that position. She began her term on April 30, 2017 and beginning the next day she was subjected to a protracted and extensive pattern of racist harassment.
The harassment consisted of posters, bananas hung from nooses and cyber-attacks using all websites. Law enforcement agencies commenced investigations and The Anti-Defamation League determined that the Neo-Nazi site “Daily Stormer” and 3 individuals had been the primary force behind the activity. The attacks caused Ms. Dumpson to suffer from PSTD which symptoms disrupted her exams and required summer school.
With the assistance of her employer, she initiated a civil rights law suit against 3 of the perpetrators in Federal Court in Washington DC. Two did not respond and were subject to default judgements. One responded and made a settlement requiring among other items to make a personal apology to Ms. Dumpson which arrangements were done on terms she set forth. The defendant was also required to do community service in the civil rights field and take anti-racist training sessions.