I’ll start by thanking my husband, Alan for your love and support. My friends here tonight – Bobbie Jean, Hannah, Joanne, Resa, Ray, Laura, Carla and Darren – for your unwavering dedication to those we strive to serve. To my colleague and friend Ike Leggett for your personal commitment to families touched by violence. To my wonderful staff, past and present – Alan, Bobbie, Naomi, Paul, Laurie - for your loyalty and dedication. To our generous donors and those gathered here tonight for your continued generosity. To the entire FJC Foundation Board, including the incomparable Catherine Leggett for your extraordinary efforts at spreading the word, supporting this important initiative and putting together this incredible event. And most importantly, the late Marilyn Praisner for her beautiful heart, her perpetual strength of character and her determination to make our vision of a FJC a reality and shining success.
I recall as if it was just yesterday the first conversation that the then Council President, the late Marilyn Praisner and I had with our County Executive Ike Leggett on the potential creation of a Montgomery County Family Justice Center. Under Marilyn’s mentorship, I brought the research literature on this exciting best practice and the clinical expertise to the first of many conversations. Marilyn brought the pragmatic directive to Ike: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Ike asked what the easy way was. Marilyn swiftly responded, “ Put it in next year’s budget or we will.” The rest is history; it was in the next year’s budget; and we’d all agree tonight that Ike Leggett is a skilled but very smart executive. He knew Marilyn and I would remain fearless and feisty in our efforts to start this essential project. Thank you Ike for having trust and confidence in our judgment and honoring Marilyn’s legacy.
As I have often stated, we know that the most effective way to prevent family violence and to respond to it is through a coordinated and comprehensive community effort. That concisely describes what the Montgomery County Family Justice Center is. The FJC provides a refuge; creates empowerment; offers hope; and reaffirms how the human spirit triumphs, with a little help from our friends. That has always been a core belief of mine and it will forever define my life’s work. It is no secret that these past few weeks have provided a temporary detour but tonight I assure you I am by no means at the end of any road.
All of us here tonight believe in the power of community. I do because I have in my life experiences witnessed the value of speaking the truth, becoming an advocate and taking on the most intractable challenges - those causes few embrace, many run from and often times that deplete one’s spirit and faith in humanity. This applies to the tragedy of family violence, the misery of poverty and political oppression, and the risk of exercising leadership in public service.
Victims become survivors. But their freedom and quality of recovery is swifter, longer and greater if others who bear witness speak up defiantly, take selfless action without hesitation, and in a measured but generous spirit embrace the concept of a shared journey. In a just community, survivors should never feel lonely or discarded, but rather valued and protected.
On a very personal note, I am guided by my heritage each and every day. I offer the following words to you as an inspiration and perhaps as a call to action, a matched set of verses straight from the Torah/Leviticus: “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Don’t stand idly by as your neighbor bleeds.” This is the greatest commandment – to both love and act on behalf of those around us.
Let those words guide our work in the weeks and months ahead. May they help us find joy and satisfaction in our celebration tonight. And may these verses remind us daily of our obligation to one another.
Thank you for tonight’s recognition. It is deeply appreciated.”
