Sister to Sister International, Inc. Contact: Gail Wright Sirmans Program Chair Sister to Sister International, Inc. P.O. Box 21 Yonkers NY 10703-0021 E-mail: wrightsir@aol.com Sister to Sister International, Inc., Law Day Celebrations Activity Summary: We launched our program in May and invited school children in the Westchester community, with a special invitation to the Mt. Vernon public schools, to submit a quote about children. The quotes will be compiled in a book of quotes “from children and for children." On June 9th we held a dynamic roundtable discussion with a diverse panel of judges and lawyers who examined legal issues affecting children. The program, which included a brief but poignant lecture, afforded members of the community the opportunity to raise specific and personal questions. Children were invited to attend, view the Juvenile Education Law Project film “Check It Out," participate in a discussion with a local youth officer, complete law-related crosswords and word puzzles, and read their quotes during the luncheon. Extensive packets of legal and youth related materials were distributed to the 100 adults and children who attended. The program, which included a light lunch, was free to the public. Activity Narrative: Sister to Sister International, Inc. [STSI] launched a multi-generation and multi-faceted Law Day celebration in May. The first phase of our celebration actively involved children. With the assistance of the Mt. Vernon Public School District, we invited children to submit their favorite quote about children. This invitation was extended to children from the Westchester community. Local public libraries and school librarians were urged to support this effort. The quotes, which will be complied into a collection of quotes “from children and for children," will serve as a “resource and source” of moral guidance for the children. As a grand finale for our Law Day celebration, STSI, with the active support of the Juvenile Education Law Project and the Association of Black Lawyers of Westchester County, Inc. sponsored a roundtable discussion: “Protecting the Best Interests of Our Children: A Legal and Moral Imperative”. The program took place on Saturday, June 9th at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, New York from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This was a public service to the entire Westchester community, and was free of charge to the more than 100 participants. The program opened with remarks from Dr. Lucille Gunning, a prominent pediatrician with more than fifty years of dedicated service. Her comments were followed by a roundtable discussion of the laws that have an impact on children. The panel included: Honorable Bruce Tolbert [Westchester Family Court], Carolyn Minter [Private Practice], Mayo Bartlett [Westchester DA’s Office], Hugh Campbell [Pres., NY State Trial Lawyers], Renaye B. Cuyler [Pres., Metropolitan Black Bar Assn.], Karen Cheeks-Lomax [Ass. Dir. Harlem Legal Services], and Dennis Parker [Associate Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund]. Initially, each panelist was asked to identify and examine a significant or crucial legal issue that affects children. The responses ranged from the need for tort law reform to the recent changes in criminal laws mandating adult sentences for juvenile offenders. An open dialogue followed this provocative discourse with the audience. The topics covered legal issues in education, criminal justice, employment, negligence and family law. In light of the wide range of expertise this was an all-encompassing legal program. Youth were invited to attend the program and view the Juvenile Education Law Project Film dealing with the rights and responsibilities of youth. In addition, youth completed law related word games and puzzles, and a local youth officer lead a group discussion. At the conclusion of the program the youth shared their quotes. The program ended with a lovely light lunch for the youth, audience and panelists. Clearly, this two pronged activity was inter-generation. Members of the audience were from diverse and divers communities. We forged new relationships with the Juvenile Education Project, the Association of Black Lawyers of Westchester County, Inc., the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and My Sister’s Place (a shelter for abused women) and the NAACP LDF. FIRST (Family Information and Referral Service Teams, Inc.) was instrumental in providing us with a database of organizations and a voluminous set to materials for distribution. Materials were also received from JELP, the New York State Bar and the Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services. STSI, a Westchester based organization established in 1991, promotes communications and support for women of African descent around the world. STSI’s general objectives are to represent the interest, protect the rights and advocate the advancement of women of African descent in all aspects of economic, political, cultural and social life, including health and education. Developing healthy lifestyles and creating harmony in the mind, body and spirit is a cornerstone of our philosophy. It is our hope that the legal guidance participants received during the program strengthens their sense of well being, the well being of their children, the well being of their family and the well being of our community. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization