Activist Cicely Tyson To Speak To Packed House In Spokane
Cicely Tyson’s coming to Spokane May 6. She will be the keynote speaker for the annual Women Helping Women luncheon. The group raises thousands of dollars each year for programs that help Spokane women and children. Since 1993, the group has raised nearly $375,000.
Tyson is best known for her acting career. She’s won three Emmy awards and appeared in “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “Roots.” But she is also a woman active in making the country, and the world, a better place for women and children. She served as chair of UNICEF and she sets aside a month each year to talk to college students about human rights, education, race relations and teen pregnancy.
If you’ve never been to a Women Helping Women luncheon, held at the Ag Trade Center, it is quite an experience. The ballroom is packed with tables of women (and some men) coming together for a great cause. Unfortunately, if you don’t already have a ticket, you’ll have to wait until next year. The luncheon is sold out.
Think about it: “Life is so short we must move very slowly.” Thai proverb.
Kid kindness: Every day, the Spokane County Juvenile Court comes in contact with children who have been neglected, abused or abandoned. These children need adult advocates as they wind their way through the court system. You can be one of those advocates. Volunteers meet with the child, parents, caseworkers and attorneys and then make a recommendation to the court. For information on how to get involved, call Susan Cairy at 458-2469.
Think again: “Love thy neighbor, even when he plays the trombone.” Jewish proverb.
Resolve: The Resolve group offers support and education to couples grappling with infertility. Their Tuesday meeting will explore the topic of spirituality and infertility. Pastor Steve Yoell from Garland Alliance Church will be the speaker. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at Deaconess Health and Education Center, 910 W. Fifth Ave. For information, call 622-0589.
Mom alert: Still interested in “the best advice your mom ever gave you” stories for Mother’s Day. Send them our way!!
And finally, this thought: “This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can.” George Bernard Shaw.
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MEMO: Common Ground is written on alternating weeks by Rebecca Nappi and Dan Webster. Write to them in care of The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615. Or fax, (509) 459-5098.