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June 20, 2011

 

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CNN Freedom Project

Ken and Robert connected with CNN's Freedom Project on a recent trip to Atlanta. What a pleasure it was to meet Sheri England and Mike McCarthy. We discussed the possibility of having CNN follow some of the students working on the Abolition Day service-learning projects with the culmination of their service work coming on December 2, 2011.

Speaking of CNN, Ken appeared on CNN International with correspondent Kristie Lu Stout last week to briefly discuss some of our ideas about Abolition Through Education in schools and their applications internationally.

CNN Freedom Project 

 

Click here to watch the interview.


President Barack Obama

"When we strove to blot out the stain of slavery and advance the rights of man, we found common cause with your struggles against oppression.  Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave and our great abolitionist, forged an unlikely friendship right here in Dublin with your great liberator, Daniel O'Connell.  (Applause.) His time here, Frederick Douglass said, defined him not as a color but as a man.  And it strengthened the non-violent campaign he would return home to wage.  Recently, some of their descendents met here in Dublin to commemorate and continue that friendship between Douglass and O'Connell."

Remarks by the President at Irish Celebration in Dublin, Ireland - May 23, 2011 


Nettie and Ken recently made a trip to Ireland to help celebrate the release of a new edition of The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave with the forward being written by Ireland's President, Mary McAleese. Nettie and Ken had the pleasure of meeting President McAleese along with a host of other Irish dignitaries. During the book launch ceremony a wreath was laid over the tomb of Daniel O'Connell, Ireland's Great Liberator.

Click here to read the story in the Irish Times.

Nettie, Ken and President MacAleese

Nettie, Ken and President McAleese

 

Nettie and Ken also met with officials from Concern Worldwide to discuss the possibility of future collaborative projects with FDFF. Concern is a humanitarian organization working to alleviate hunger and poverty around the world with much of their work focused in the country of Haiti. With the name of Frederick Douglass having strong historical importance in both Ireland and Haiti, it would only be natural for the U.S.-based FDFF to help complete a three-nation plan to seek Triumph for the Haitian people. We know that poverty is one of the most potent contributing factors to human trafficking and modern forms of slavery worldwide. We give special thanks to our host and new friend across the Atlantic, Don Mullan. Don edited the new edition of the Narrative and has spearheaded a project to erect a statue of Frederick Douglass in Ireland.  More on this in a future newsletter.

 

Student Board of Advisors

The application period for the Student Board of Advisors is now closed. Wow, it's been exciting to see the passion displayed by these students for this cause. In our next newsletter, we'll introduce you to the Student Board. We know you'll be impressed.

The Student Board will be active in several areas of the FDFF operations. The most important part of their responsibilities, however, will be to give the organization a perspective from the next generation of leaders.

Here's what the student board members are saying about their service:

"I will be able to help create service projects that will move our society in the right direction in the fight against human trafficking."

"I learned that teamwork is the key to being successful."

"Human Trafficking is not something that just happens in other parts of the world."

"We, as the youth, are the future of our society."

"It excites me to know that I will be working with like minded teenagers with the goal of seeing the abolition of human trafficking."

"Let's spread the word!!"      

Capitol Hill

We had some great meetings last week on both sides of Capitol Hill.  We met with Reps Laura Richardson, Joe Crowley, Richard Neal and Chris Smith as well as Senator Kirk from IL.  We have revised HR 929 - a House resolution that will: 1) Recognize December 2nd as Abolition Day, 2) Attach Frederick Douglass' name to Abolition Day and 3) Recognize the work of FDFF and the schools that have worked with us.  Representative Richardson is ready to reintroduce the resolution in the House with the goal of passing it soon.  Senator Kirk has said he will introduce a companion version on the Senate side too.

Our meeting with Representative Chris Smith was very encouraging.  He is a leader in the anti-trafficking movement in Congress and we had never met with him before.  He was pleased to hear of our work with young people and asked Ken to testify at a Congressional hearing in the near future to talk about our service-learning campaign and Abolition Day.  This is a great opportunity.  We give special thanks to Jeremy Alexander, Don Mullan and Kristin Leary for setting up and joining us in these meetings. 

Fall Fundraiser

We are now beginning the planning process for a fall fundraiser. This will be our long overdue, first official fundraising event (the half marathon we ran in December 2007 wasn't an official event since official events shouldn't have to be that painful).

The event is scheduled to be held in Washington DC with the timeframe around October. Aside from tickets to the event being a way to generate funds, we're looking at doing a silent auction the evening of the fundraiser. The items being auctioned in DC will be DC-centric with products, trips, restaurant-certificates, etc being geared toward locals. We will, however, be auctioning other items online that will be of value to supporters all over the country. Please let us know if there is anything you want to donate to help support our service-learning efforts. Of course, all donations are tax deductible.  Thank you to Board of Advisors members Carlita McIlwain and Jeremy Alexander for taking the lead and organizing this event.

 

For more information about the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation, please visit www.fdff.org or click here to send an email to us.   

 

In Freedom,


Frederick Douglass Family Foundation


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Please help us affect change through human trafficking awareness while directly supporting our educational programs in schools. Together we will:

 

  1. Protect girls from becoming the victims of minor sex trafficking;
  2. Teach young men that their choices could increase demand for exploited girls and women;
  3. Empower young people to make a difference in the world around them.

Your help is essential.   

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