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Remember to stay positive:
During this trying time, it is important for everyone to have a positive attitude. No matter how bad a situation may be, try to look at it with a positive perspective or at least have hope that it will get better. These times will be difficult, and there is no getting around that. But you can determine how much influence this pandemic is going to hold over you. We also must come together as a community during these times. We will always be stronger together, and there is no disputing that. To quote the late Henry Ford,
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is a process. Working together is a success.”
This page is made to spread as much positivity as possible. Currently, around the world, there are numerous acts of kindness displayed, proving that through all the anxiety, all the confusion, and all the isolation, somehow, the human spirit found a way to break through and blow us all away. On this page, we will post these acts of kindness in hopes of making this a breeding ground of joy! Whether you want to know what’s going on in the world or simply craving some positivity, this is the place for you!
We hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy, and we hope you spread positivity as well!
For information on how our town is spreading positivity locally, visit HOMETOWN HEROES!
“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Doing Things with Great Love
“I learn from my mistakes, and I always try to improve.”
-Mai Harrison
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Over the years, Mai Harrison has volunteered for numerous school activities at the elementary, middle, and high schools - class mom, family events, concerts, dances, and more. She is the co-chair of the Winchester Parent Faculty Association social committee and one of the Freshman Class Parent Advisors. She also volunteers with En Ka, Winchester Got Lunch, Winchester Friends of Music, Winchester Home, and Garden, Meals on Wheels, and the Veterans Memorial Day Parade.
I had the pleasure of interviewing her and discussing her motivations at a deeper level. The word “blessed” came up several times. Much of her deep-rooted passion for contributing comes from her inspiring childhood experiences. Her family left Vietnam as refugees, and she was born in a refugee camp in Indonesia, eventually coming to the US when she was three months old. “We arrived with nothing, but it did not feel that way because of how kind and generous people were to us.” A church group sponsored the family’s immigration to America and provided extensive ongoing support. She feels blessed to have met people who simply opened their hearts to the family. Those early experiences reinforced her deep-seated belief about “giving back” and “treating others like you want to be treated.”
Growing up, she and her siblings had specific household roles, from cooking to babysitting, as her parents were always working. Mai’s parents instilled a strong work ethic in her from an early age. Additionally, she learned how to juggle multiple responsibilities effectively - a helpful trait when fulfilling numerous roles at elementary, middle, and high schools–often simultaneously! “Each age group is different, so I try to adapt to what the kids, families, teachers, and staff see as fun and make our experiences special for all!”
Like the students she interacts with, Mrs. Harrison is a perpetual learner. “I learn from my mistakes, and I always try to improve. And when it comes to creativity, Google is one of my favorite go-to idea sources!“ She also learns from her teammates and believes in starting from the bottom and working her way up. She says her creativity finds expression in her love for working with people.
This creativity was invaluable for getting through tough times imposed by the pandemic. The lockdown put a damper on important student activities like the end-of-year Senior events. However, Mrs. Harrison was part of a community team that devised an innovative way of fêting the high school seniors and their families. Thus came memorable events like the Rolling Parade, where teachers and staff (with a police escort!) rode across Winchester to each of the WHS Seniors’ homes to cheer them on. Although the primary goal was to uplift Seniors, the parade brought joy to the whole community during challenging times.
Similarly, wanting to ensure that the teachers and staff knew their efforts were very much appreciated during the pandemic, Mrs. Harrison organized Teachers' Appreciation online with a slideshow of students to celebrate and thank the staff. Mrs. Harrison feels fortunate to interact with like-minded, passionate people who want to make a difference and believes “it takes a village”! Together, they come up with creative solutions to overcome any potential obstacles.
Service is an integral part of Mrs. Harrison’s family life as well. She met her husband when she worked in the Boston Refugee Youth Enrichment program run by Harvard, teaching English to Vietnamese refugee children over the summer. Her kids have been involved with volunteering from a very young age, participating in activities in the Winchester community, both on their own and helping their mom. As Mrs. Harrison states, “My husband and children have always been incredibly supportive, and I could not do all I do without them!”
Mrs. Harrison strives to “be the change you wish to see in the world.” When her children leave the Winchester Public schools, Mrs. Harrison plans to continue serving the Winchester community–and we will all be better off because of this!
If you come up with a list of individuals who work tirelessly for the Winchester community, Mai Harrison’s name will be high on that list. She lives here with her husband David, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, and their three kids Kayla (freshman at Wesleyan), Amanda (senior at WHS), and Bryan (freshman at WHS); the Harrison family has called Winchester home since 2006. Whatever your affiliation with Winchester schools - student, parent, teacher, administrator - the odds are that you have interacted with Mrs. Harrison and encountered her incredible energy. My association with Mrs. Harrison began at age five when she volunteered at the Vinson-Owen school picnic.
Bringing the World to NEC
“Hoping you are proud of what you activated at NEC, and your vision being accomplished”
-Monique Van Willingh, Director of Cultural Equity and Belonging
The inaugural event, focused on introducing the NEC and local community to Eastern Classical music, was successful and the first of its kind at the New England Conservatory. On February 4, 2023, the audience of 50+ attendees was effectively engaged by a Mridangam performance and tutorial. The event required months of coordination across multiple departments at NEC, including the Center for Cultural Equity and Belonging (CEB) and Preparatory School. The NEC community was proud of what was activated and accomplished at the institution. The next workshop in this series will be in the late spring/early summer, with a master jazz saxophonist pioneering the performance of North Indian classical music on soprano saxophone. Read More
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2023
“The magnitude of this generosity will have a clear and direct benefit to many folks.”
-President Emily Granoff, Malden Warming Center Board
On Monday, January 16th, the Network for Social Justice and community partners welcomed hundreds of residents from Winchester and the surrounding area to the 4th annual MLK Day of Community Service at Winchester High School! There were over 25 student and community groups working on equity and inclusion in the Winchester community participating in the event. The event also marked the beginning of the take-action program for middle schoolers - Shaping a Better Tomorrow. The Network donated more than 40 boxes of goods worth over $8,000 to support the Malden Warming Center, a local non-profit that serves people who are experiencing homelessness during the winter months.
Historic Election Wins
“I'm proud of who I am.”
-Maura Healy
Maura Healey, attorney general of the state of Massachusetts since 2015, decisively won the race for governor on Tuesday November 8, 2022. Healey, a Democrat, got almost 64% of the votes while her primary Republican challenger Geoff Diehl got 35%. She is the first woman and the first openly gay candidate to be elected to the gubernatorial position in the state. Read More
You have the Right to Define Who You Are
“Your identity is your most precious possession”
On Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Network for Social Justice hosted their 2nd annual PRIDEfest. The event was brought together by the McCall QSA Club and WHS Spectrum Club students and advisors, many Winchester nonprofit and business partners, and of course the incredibly generous sponsors: Bryant Park Design, Fuller Cup, Frozen Hoagies, Recover Green Roofs, Dara Singleton of The Shanahan Group, Winchester Cultural Council, and WUSYG. Read More
Winchester Votes in Favor of Affordable Housing
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
- Winston Churchill
On June 6, 2022, Winchester Town Meeting members approved ( by ⅔ majority) a proposal to develop a parcel of land on Waterfield Road into a 60-rental-unit affordable housing project. Read More
Cheers to our Guardians
“To our True Guardians”
-WHS Latin Club
Students recently took the time to appreciate the WHS custodians for their relentless support. The WHS Latin Club recognized these unsung heroes in early April, 2022. The club fundraised snacks and gift cards to honor and thank them for all their work. A quick break from their daily chores to hang out with the club members over a few laughs, food and games turned out to be welcoming to all those who participated. The group also drew portraits of each of the 11 custodians.to honor them. Cheers to our “guardian” custodians!
Yours Codi'ally'
“Allyship is about action or activeness. There is no such thing as an innocent bystander.”
-Schuyler Bailar, a Division 1 athlete, activist, and life coach
On April 24th, NFSJ interns and their peers met for an evening of learning around allyship and collaboration for social and racial justice at Winchester High School. Organized together with our community partner, Social Capital Inc. and made possible by a generous grant from CHNA-15, NFSJ interns developed an allyship how-to guide, sharing best practices and learning from each other's real life experiences and reflections. Liora Norwich, Network Executive Director, worked with students on this special program. Read more
Peers (em)Bracing Peers
“Bring a smile to a face!”
-WHS Latin Club
In February 2022, the WHS Latin Club spearheaded a service project aimed at providing gift baskets to members of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network. Wayside Youth provides emergency shelter for homeless teens on a short-term basis. There are five individuals currently at the shelter. The club believed reaching out to kids their age was relatable. It also reminded them of how privileged they are, and to be grateful for every single day. A small contribution from their side, though not life-changing, made a huge difference and brightened their day a little, giving Wayside Youth comfort and reminding them that the world still cared!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
“Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Service Learning at Winchester Public Schools and Network for Social Justice celebrated The MLK Day of Service on January 17, 2022. This annual event is dedicated to engaging the community in social justice issues. The event was held virtual due to the surge in covid cases as a result of the omicron variant. This year's theme was Global Citizenship. The goal was to educate students and members of our community about social justice issues in remembrance and honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Read more.
Unity Amongst Diversity
“Festivities of light that delightfully transform the world together.”
On December 16, 2021, the Network for Social Justice (NSFJ), in collaboration with the Winchester High School Social Justice Club (SoJust), hosted an event called “Unity Amongst Diversity” on the Winchester Town Commons. The tagline was “Festivities of light that delightfully transform the world together.” The goal was to bring about a deeper understanding of different cultures and traditions in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Various tables representing different festivals were laid out, including the Winter Solstice, Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Chalica (from the Unitarian faith), and Hanukkah. In addition, there were tables from the Network for Social Justice. Some stations offered snacks or decals for sale while others had activities. The event was geared towards families, especially those with young children.
This event provided a means to engage with the community around the NFSJ’s mission to foster a movement for systemic change to advance equity and inclusion in the town of Winchester and beyond. The relaxed environment of the festival served as an ideal ground for bringing people together. In the current divisive political climate, the importance of this event cannot be overstated.
A Winchester Organization Lends a Helping Hand
“It is still a big challenge for me to take my kids to their appointments.”
-Ashiqullah Ahmadi
On October 13, 2021, the Network for Social Justice (NFSJ) , an organization in Winchester, MA whose mission is to advance a movement for equity and inclusion through addressing structural change, held a panel discussion to highlight the challenges faced by Afghans after the Taliban usurped the government. One of the goals of the discussion was to educate people who were interested in learning about the current situation in Afghanistan. The vast majority of those Afghans who bravely worked for the Americans are still there - trapped - and their life is in danger. The panel was headed by Karen Hirshfeld, a former aid worker in Afghanistan. She provided an overview of the current situation, challenges faced by those who managed to leave the country, the resources available to them, and how we can all help. Read More.
If you are interested in supporting Afghan asylum seekers, consider a donation:
GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-dozens-of-afghan-friends
Ascentria at https://www.ascentria.org/donate/donate-now
LexRAP at https://www.lexrap.org
- Todd Morgan Beamer
People of my generation were not born on 9/11, yet that day casts a long shadow on many facets of American life be it political, social, or even economic. This was indeed a tragic event, the impact of which is felt to this day - exactly 20 years later. However, the silver lining in all this is that it shows the resiliency of the human spirit and the ability to come together as a community. This trait is needed today as well, as we continue to fight the global pandemic.
Timeline
September 11, 2001
- 8:46 a.m. ET - American Airlines Flight 11 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) strikes the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
- 9:03 a.m. ET - United Airlines Flight 175 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) strikes the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
- 9:37 a.m. ET - American Airlines Flight 77 (traveling from Dulles, Virginia, to Los Angeles) strikes the Pentagon Building in Washington.
- 9:59 a.m. ET - South Tower of WTC collapses in approximately 10 seconds.
- 10:03 a.m. ET - United Airlines Flight 93 (traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco) crashes in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
- 10:28 a.m. ET - North Tower of WTC collapses. The time between the first attack and the collapse of both World Trade Center Towers is 102 minutes.
More about Life and Less about Football
“We are not about the ball, we are about saving lives. And when you are saving lives, you can’t get tired doing it”
-Brice Brown
For high school football coach Brice Brown, the sport is more than a game but a way to save lives. He is the coach of the Edna Karr High School located in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans. This neighborhood, even today Aug 13, 2021, is one of the most dangerous areas in the country. The young people there are 56 times more likely to be shot by gunfire. Life expectancy there is almost ten years less than in the rest of the country. Some of his kids have been shot; some have attempted to sell drugs; many are living below the poverty line. How does he succeed when many others have failed? He says one of the keys is honesty. He prides himself in having honest, tough conversations with the kids. He teaches them purpose, self-confidence, and self-worth. While he admits that he is unable to help all the kids, he still does not let that deter him. His “authenticity” is the reason why the players look up to him. He has coached the team to multiple state championships. However, he feels that his real victory lies in giving his players a better future - be it via a college scholarship or just by providing them a sense of purpose. His story is part of a book called “Across the River” by Kent Babb, which is also being adapted for the big screen by no less a star than George Clooney. Read more HERE and HERE.
Being Kind by Being Friends
An Unlikely Friendship
“Mary really is Benjamin's best friend,” Sarah said. “She’s his first best friend.”
-Sarah Olsen
The pandemic and the resultant quarantining created a huge social void especially for the elderly. They were deemed the most high risk and as such, it was recommended that they don’t mingle as much just so that they do not risk being infected.
Two-year-old Benjamin Olsen from Minnesota did not mingle with anybody for over a year. That changed when he started interacting with his next door neighbor, the almost 100-year-old Mary O’Neill. Simple acts of love turned into a life long bond for Mary. Benjamin and Mary together learned to blow bubbles, kick ball and exchange gifts from their gardens with each other over the last 18 months
Today, July 21, 2021, Mary, a fiercely independent neighbor, now has a best friend in Benjamin. Read More
Mask Mandate Coming Down
On May 13, 2021, the CDC issued a series of recommendations with respect to fully vaccinated people. Among others, they say that such people can
Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. This does not include healthcare settings and public transportation.
Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States.
This is a testament to the efficacy of vaccines. Following this, many of the top stores in the United States, including Target, Macy’s, Home Depot, and BestBuy, issued statements saying that vaccinated customers will no longer be required to wear masks.
Winchester Stands United against Racism
“We must all strive to be upstanders, not bystanders whose silence makes us complicit.”
-Senator Jason Lewis
“Let’s build a diverse and inclusive community that cherishes and values the dignity of every community member.”
- Wei Han, CAN-WIN co-founder
On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, residents of Winchester gathered by Mill Pond behind Winchester Public Library for a lantern ceremony and community candle lighting to affirm their solidarity with their Asian American and Pacific Islander friends and neighbors. Network for Social Justice Executive Director Liora Norwich started off the proceedings by expressing her, "struggle to comprehend yet another maddening and senseless act of hate.” Several Winchester Town Leaders including CAN-WIN co-founder Wei Han, Town Manager Lisa Wong, state Rep. Mike Day, state Sen. Jason Lewis, Select Board Chair Michael Bettencourt, Winchester Public Schools Superintendent Judy Evans, and Reverend Nick Myers attended the ceremony to address the gathering. Winchester High School student Ayesha Gosh gave a touching speech and Alexander Lee’s article in the New York Times was quoted. Lanterns were released onto the pond honoring each of the 8 victims in Atlanta - Hyung Jung Grant, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Soon Chung Park, Yong Ae Yue, Suncha Kim. The vigil ended with a community candle lighting ceremony followed by a moment of silence. Read More.
CAN-WIN
“We must stand united against any form of racial aggression, xenophobia, or prejudice and continuously reaffirm our core values of respect, inclusion, and community.”
- Judith Evans, Winchester Public Schools Superintendent
“We really have one common enemy – the racism that is embedded in our culture and society.”
- Michael Bettencourt, Select Board Chair
Keeping Well by Doing Right
“You are Vaxxing eloquent just because I got a Jab well done!”
My grand-uncle took his vaccine in Chennai, India this week (March 3, 2021). He is almost 86 years old and is the closest family member to be vaccinated. The procedure was free and the process was streamlined with minimal bureaucracy. Why is this important to me? It is one step closer to me getting closer to my extended family in India, whom I have not seen in over two years.
My grand-uncle had an illustrious career. He was the Former Commerce Secretary to the Government of India and Former Chairman/Member of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization, Geneva. He was in the Indian Administrative Service, the premier Civil service of India, from 1959 to 1993 as a career civil servant. He also served in the United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations at UN Headquarters in New York between 1980 and 1986. He continues to keep himself abreast of worldly matters - a busy body to date!
And, his quote above in response to my post speaks to perhaps his most invaluable characteristic — his humor!
Doing Well by Doing Good
Recently (January 2021), the Winchester High School Latin club did its part to show its appreciation to the front-line workers at Winchester Hospital. As we all know the staff at the Winchester Hospital has been at the forefront of the fight against the virus since last Spring. They have shown extraordinary courage and care during these unprecedented times. Community members recognized their efforts and showered hospital staff with meals, snacks, flowers, gift cards, and more. The Latin Club did its part and delivered water bottles to the front-line workers. They were distributed to the front-line workers when they received their COVID vaccine in their conference center which was set up to administer the vaccines. The gesture was much appreciated and welcomed. They were featured in the Hospital Newsletter and the Winchester Star.
It's a New Day in America
“On this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together, uniting our people, uniting our nation. And I ask every American to join me in this cause.”
- Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
President Joe Biden was sworn in today, January 20, 2021, as the 46th president of the United States. In his inauguration speech, he mentioned “Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy.” The election of 2020 was unlike any other in recent memory. A large number of ballots were cast by mail due to the ongoing pandemic. It also was the first time that a woman of African-American and Asian descent was the Vice-Presidential candidate. He promised to unite the country. He also promised to unite the nation.
Making Humanity Multiplanetary
"If you look at the definition of resilience, that means functioning well in times of stress or overcoming challenging or stressful events. And I think that all of us agree that 2020 has certainly been a challenging year — a global pandemic, economic hardships, civil unrest, isolation,"
— NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins.
Four astronauts aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Resilience arrived at the International Space Station (November 16, 2020), circling 262 miles above Earth, where they will stay until spring. The crew will conduct science and maintenance during a six-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory and will return in spring 2021. It is scheduled to be the longest human space mission launched from the United States. The Crew Dragon spacecraft is capable of staying in orbit for at least 210 days, as a NASA requirement. What an engineering feat!
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Continues to Make History
In life, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (March 15, 1933 - September 18, 2020) broke many barriers. For example, at Harvard Law, she was part of a class of 500 students but just 9 women. Being a woman and a mother also severely restricted her employment opportunities after law school resulting in her taking a teaching job. Eventually, she became the first tenured law professor at Columbia Law School. Her reputation grew over the years and by the time President Clinton nominated her for the Supreme Court in the early 1990s, the Senate confirmed her 96-3. Her stature continued to grow as she continued to fight for the rights of women. Her funeral took place on Friday, Sept 25, 2020. Even in her death, she continued to break barriers. She became the first woman and the first Jewish American to lie in state in the United States Capitol. The notorious RBG was a superhero both in life and death!
Central Park Statue of Women's Rights Pioneers
The first monument honoring real women in Central Park was unveiled Wednesday, August 26, 2020 –commemorating the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment's ratification and its certification. The women being commemorated are Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton co-founded the American Equal Rights Association and pushed for women's suffrage. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in New York. She escaped in 1826 and later became a well-known abolitionist and women's rights activist.
Week of Juneteenth 2020
Winchester Stands With All (link):
May 25, 2020 - Present: Black Lives Matter movements have swept the nation and stimulated police reform across the United States.
June 15, 2020: The Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Right Act of 1964 protects workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
June 18, 2020: The Supreme Court block the bid to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), a win for undocumented dreamers.
Positivity abounds even in the most dire of circumstances… A strong first of many steps.
Photo credit: Violet Bettencourt
Winchester Stands In Solidarity with Black Lives Matter
On Sunday, June 7, 2020, large segments of the residents of Winchester gathered near the town center for a candlelight vigil to affirm their solidarity with the Black Lives Movement. At exactly 8 PM, bells from a nearby church rang for 8 minutes and 46 seconds honoring George Floyd.
Winchester Residents Kneel for 8 Minutes 47 seconds.
Teacher and Staff Appreciation May 2020!
The WHS community expresses their heartfelt gratitude during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week to the faculty for their unwavering support during these unprecedented times.
Thank you.
Some Good News
Currently there is a highly trending YouTube channel collecting over a MILLION subscribers in just one day. This is none other than ‘Some Good News’, started by John Krasinski, made to spread positivity during these difficult times. During these 10-15 minute videos, John shows trending clips showing acts of kindness, as well as doing other fun activities. In the first episode, he celebrated the 15th anniversary of the TV Show, ‘The Office’ by interviewing famous Michael Scott (Steve Carrell). A link to the youtube channel is below. The first episode is also to the right!
Update May 21, 2020
John Krasinski sold his site to ViacomCBS following a bidding war. New episodes, with a new, yet to be announced, host will first air on the CBS All Access streaming platform followed by other channels at a later date.
Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals are truly the unsung heroes of this pandemic. Everyday, they risk their lives to save ours. Their days are physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. They are the bedrock of our society. This is our gesture to acknowledge their kindness and sacrifice.
Thank you healthcare workers!
Acts of Kindness
On April 22, 2020, Florida based supermarket chain, Publix, created a new program whereby they would buy food from farmers impacted by the pandemic and donate these products directly to Feeding America member food banks in its operating area. More than 150,000 pounds of produce, 43,500 gallons of milk will be donated to the food banks during the first week of the initiative.
Click image for the article
Resurrecting Nature
An Australian dive tour operator, closed amid the shutdown, to give the ocean some extra care and attention by planting coral on the Great Barrier Reef. The company has donated their state-of-the-art catamaran Passions III and fuel to take four enthusiastic crew and a scientist to Hastings Reef for the Coral Nurture Program. (Updated: April 25, 2020)
Click image for the article