Facing History Honors Renata von Tscharner, of Cambridge,
As Local ‘Upstander’

Awards are part of the Choosing to Participate exhibit,
on display at the
Boston Public Library through May 20th

For immediate release

Contact: Caitlin Meyer
Facing History and Ourselves
617-735-1641
caitlin_meyer@facing.org

Boston, MA—March 17, 2008—Students who are working to end violence in their communities, individuals who are helping to protect the environment, and community groups providing meals and health care to people in need across Greater Boston are among the 25 honorees selected as ‘Upstanders’ by the international non-profit organization Facing History and Ourselves. Upstanders are individuals or groups from Massachusetts and surrounding communities who have taken up the challenge to speak out and to make decisions that have great impact on others’ lives. Facing History is celebrating these honorees, whose images and stories have become a part of the organization’s “Choosing to Participate” exhibition, with a photographic display at the Boston Public Library through May 2008.

“Each of the Upstanders’ stories reminds us that it only takes one person, or a small group of people, to bring about significant change,” said Jill Karp, a member of Facing History’s Board of Directors and co-chair of the committee that selected the 2008 slate of Upstanders. “We want visitors to this exhibit to reflect on times when they have chosen to participate - become an Upstander - and to think about those individuals in their own lives who are Upstanders."

Last spring, Facing History sent out a call to learn more about those who have taken actions to improve the lives of others and create change in their communities. Residents from throughout New England shared stories of their friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members. A panel of distinguished community members selected the 25 honorees. Among the 25 being recognized as Upstanders is Renata von Tscharner of Cambridge, founder of the Charles River Conservancy, that works to protect, improve, and restore the riverside parklands.

In addition to the Upstanders display, Choosing to Participate features an interactive, multimedia exhibit that highlights four moments in history that capture hatred, racism, injustice, courage and compassion, and features local stories and artwork that reflect the exhibit’s central themes. Visitors to the exhibit can also attend an extensive calendar of workshops, world-renowned speakers, performances and film screenings during Choosing to Participate’s visit to Boston.

The 25 Upstanders will also be recognized for their efforts at a special reception to be held in April, hosted by Facing History and Ourselves.

2008 Upstander Award Recipients

Steven D. Botkin: Founder, Men’s Resources International
Committed to a society in which all men and boys have access to resources and support for living free of violence and oppression

Larry Camerlin: Founder, Angel Flight New England
Provides free air transportation to medical patients who could not otherwise afford treatment
Vivian D’Amato: Concerned Citizen
Provides meals to neighbors and friends who are experiencing difficulty

Gerald Chertavian: Founder, Year Up
Provides urban youth with the skills, experiences, and support that will empower them to reach their potential

Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga: Founder, OrigiNation, Inc.
Educates her students about their history, health, and self-awareness, and encourages them to strive toward their full potential

Casey A. Ehrlich: Founder, Blanket the Globe
Inspires and empowers young people to voice their concerns about the environment through her website

Gerdon Encarnacion: Student Leader
Founded a youth-run after-school program aimed at ending youth violence

Philip and Sandy Gordon: Co-founders, EdVestors and Boston Arts Academy
Works to improve education and students’ access to the arts

Lindsay Hyde: President, Strong Women, Strong Girls
Empowers low-income, at-risk girls and helps them develop the skills they need to succeed

Nancy Jamison: Founder, Fair Foods
Provides perishable food to low-income areas

Jayson Joyce: Student, Bishop Feehan High School
Works towards creating awareness about the genocide in Darfur

Dr. Jeremiah Lowney: Founder, Haitian Health Foundation
Started two nonprofit medical clinics to improve the health and well-being of the poor and sick in Haiti

Lynn Margherio: Founder, Cradles to Crayons
Engages children in hands-on volunteer projects for families in need

Mass Equality: Non-profit coalition
Led campaign to legalize gay marriage and initiated a tidal wave for future change

Erin Miller: Initiator of change
Started and led a successful campaign to change the Natick High School Mascot

Mother Caroline Academy Students
Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center, Dorchester
Initiated a community-wide anti-violence campaign called Spread the Peace

Minh Nguyen: Founder, Project Booknet
Distributed thousands of books to schools, libraries, and community programs that would normally go to waste

Linda Pelosi: Mother
Helped an elderly woman in need and committed a small act of kindness

Janet Penn: Founder, Interfaith Action
Trains and mentors youth to plan, develop, and run programs on diversity and pluralism

Jesse Sage: Program Director, HAMSA
Launched the award-winning website iAbolish.org to raise awareness about slavery

Phitsamay Sychitkokhong Uy: Coordinator, Legacies of War
Advocates on behalf of the Southeast Asian American and provides space to heal the wounds of war

Aimee Thompson: Founder, Close to Home
Fosters an alternative response to domestic violence by building and strengthening relationships in communities

Teen Empowerment Youth Organizers: Teen Empowerment
Build tolerance, peace and community by organizing large events that bring positive messages to their peers and others

Renata von Tscharner: Founder, Charles River Conservancy
Protects and improves riverside parklands between Watertown and the harbor

Unknown Upstander
Honors the unknown and anonymous people who do the right thing

Ted Wells: Teacher, The Park School
Teaches students about the environment and makes recycling fun

About Facing History and Ourselves

Facing History and Ourselves is an international educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and antisemitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry. By studying the historical development of the Holocaust and other examples of genocide, students make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives. Learn more about Facing History and Ourselves at www.facinghistory.org. For more information about Upstanders and the Choosing to Participate exhibit, please visit www.choosingtoparticipate.org.

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