A Memorable Evening
Dear Friends,
We gathered last night to see friends, break bread and celebrate together. We heard from nine amazing speakers who shared their stories, values, and ambitious work. We laughed, cheered, reflected and left feeling reinvigorated to go back out into the world to speak up, do something, and help others.
We heard about a beautiful new book of portraits and stories created by Jack Montgomery showcasing Maine Holocaust survivors entitled Soul Survivors. We learned about the commitment and connection that comes from helping asylum seekers to build new lives in our state from Martha Stein. Author Morgan Talty charmed us with self-deprecating humor and read from his new novel, Fire Exit, that explores bloodlines, family, and inheritance. Bruce Thomson brought Eleanor Roosevelt's impact on history and human rights to life by describing the work at the Roosevelt International Park on Campobello Island. Lisa Quatrale delivered a passionate explanation of just how crucial it is to teach in a small, rural school in Maine. Chanthu Millay and Mardi Millay described their life experiences as the impetus for their very personal artwork. And State Representative Sam Zager illustrated the powerfully positive impact of community even in the face of disaster. We concluded with a warm tribute to the trailblazing warrior for human rights, Lois Galgay Reckitt, from her close friend Lee Humphrey, as well as colleagues and friends including Matt Beck and members the Maine Women's Lobby.
We were delighted to have Holocaust Survivor Charles Rotmil there, as well Ragnhild Baade, a founding member; Anna Wrobel, daughter of Holocaust Survivor Eta Wrobel; Julius Ciembroniewicz, son of Holocaust Survivor Julius Ciembroniewicz Sr.; Ina Demers, long-standing member of our community; and Shenna Bellows, Secretary of State and former HHRC Executive Director. There was a strong representation from the Maine State Legislature, Maine Department of Labor, Roosevelt Campobello International Park, and several of our affiliate non-profits.
Morgan signed 50 copies of his novel throughout the evening, chatting amiably with each person. We enjoyed cocktails and a delicious dinner. There is so much more we want to tell you about the evening and the HHRC—our plans, projects, achievements and aspirations. Please visit our website to learn more about Gerda Haas Award recipient Lois Galgay Reckitt, Spiegel Award recipient Cohen Parker, the Millay artists, our growing educational outreach, and fundraising needs. Watch the tribute address here and view photos taken by Elise Klysa here.
We deeply appreciate your engagement and collaboration—and look forward to the collective work that lies ahead.
All my best,
Tam Huynh
Executive Director, HHRC
Lois G. Reckitt is our 2024 Gerda Haas Award Recipient
The HHRC is delighted to announce that Lois Galgay Reckitt is the 2024 recipient of the Gerda Haas Award for Excellence in Human Rights Education and Leadership. Our community will honor her posthumously at our Annual Meeting on September 5th, 2024. Lois Reckitt was known as a powerful activist for women, working on behalf of oppressed, vulnerable and marginalized people throughout her adult life—indeed right up until her death. Lois was committed to making sure that all people were treated with respect and dignity. And she would say that there is still much work to be done in making sure that everyone is treated fairly and that equality and safety are afforded to all people. From 1984 to 1987, Lois served as executive vice president of the National Organization for Women in Washington, D.C. and then deputy director of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, a political action committee that she had co-founded in 1980. Back in Maine, Lois became co-founder of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, the Maine Coalition for Human Rights, the Maine Women’s Lobby, and the first Maine chapter of the National Organization for Women. She established the Family Crisis Shelter in Portland and successfully lobbied to protect victims of domestic abuse, leading to the passage of several bills. She served in the Maine House of Representatives from 2016 until her death in 2023 where she fought to pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the Maine Constitution. Lois was inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame in 1998. We hope you will join us in celebrating the life and accomplishments of this remarkable person.
Khmer Sisters Exhibit
These arresting exhibits of sculpture and photography by Chanthu and Mardi Millay are worth a trip to the Michael Klahr Center. The first is Child of War series by painter and sculptor Chanthu Millay. Her use of metal and ceramic sculpture and paintings depict the emotions she experienced as her family’s lone survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. Many contain images of war and disruption, while others touch on selfhood, freedom, abstraction. On her website she writes, "Not only can art connect us to our various identities, heritages, and cultures, but it enriches our respect and appreciation for the world around us." In her debut photographic exhibition Rethinking Place, Mardi Millay traveled to her birth culture and country of Cambodia and neighboring Southeast Asian countries. She engages with her subjects to reflect and capture a sense of home—be it a physical place, feeling or chosen community. Using this expanded definition of place, she explores identity through her adoptive family and relationships with an underexposed perspective. Her portraits ask the viewer to wonder about a child, woman, elder's life—and the stories behind the scenes and expressions.
These two exhibitions are in collaboration with Khmer Maine, and our friend and former HHRC colleague, Marpheen Chann. They opened on May 20th in recognition of Cambodia National Day of Remembrance, to commemorate the victims of the genocide in Cambodia that took place between 1975 and 1979
Student Awards & Scholarships
We are delighted to announce the opening of the 2024-25 Awards & Scholarship Program sponsored by the HHRC. Below are descriptions of the opportunities with links to the applications on our website. We would appreciate it if you could help us spread the word about this important tradition: If you know a student who is interested, please let them know. This is an integral piece of our education offerings and a meaningful way to honor the mission and vision of those who created the HHRC 39 years ago. The awards ask students to think deeply about their personal experiences relating to the Holocaust and human rights, encouraging self reflection and commitment to the values we uphold and teach. The deadline to submit is December 1, 2024.
The Lawrence Alan Spiegel Remembrance Scholarship
The Spiegel Scholarship ($1,000) is awarded annually to the high school senior who authors the prize-winning, original essay on the prompt: “Learning about the Holocaust affected my view of the world and it is important for others to learn about it too.” Criteria: originality of voice and viewpoint, structure, command of language and mechanics. The photo is of Brooke Chase, the 2023 Spiegel Award Recipient. Click here for an application.
The Mathilde Schlossberger Outstanding Student of the Year Award
The Schlossberger Award recognizes an exceptional piece of original writing, fiction or non-fiction, or an unusually expressive piece of visual or performance art relating to human rights. The award was created by Florence and Kurt Strauss of Portland in memory of Kurt’s maternal grandmother, who was murdered at Theresienstadt. Click here for an application.
Summer Seminars for Educators
Our two annual Summer Seminars finished up last Thursday. In all 29 educators spent two summer days becoming more prepared and knowledgeable for the coming school year. The first seminar focused on how to teach the Holocaust in ways that resonate with different age groups through literature, conversation, and helpful activities. These are difficult subjects; it's important to help children and young adults be supported and thoughtful, with time to feel and reflect as they are introduced to scary events and dark aspects of human nature. The second seminar delved into strategies for creating a safe and welcoming classroom where no one feels left out or diminished. With the help of HHRC staff and several professionals in the field, participants befitted from presentations, fresh ideas, ample resources, and educational games that help create supportive, productive, and enjoyable learning communities. See photos here.
Every Gift Counts!
Support our Important Work
Your generous contribution supports our work: building brave and welcoming communities by promoting universal respect for human rights through education, outreach and cultural experiences. This ambitious goal takes many forms. We offer sixteen educational programs to Maine students, sponsor talks and performances, curate exhibits, house valuable archives, showcase multi-media stories from survivors, and invite all visitors into the beautiful Michael Klahr Center.
Why is it a good idea to donate to this small non-profit with a large vision? Everything we offer is free of charge because everyone deserves equal access to experiences, knowledge, and belonging. Contributions fuel our daily work, and every gift counts—in our hearts and our budget. We give you our collective word that your hard-earned money will be put directly into building equitable and safe communities and strengthening human rights through advocacy, education and the arts. We simply cannot do this important work without you. Please donate here.
The Archive Project
The HHRC has a longstanding and rich collection of artifacts related to the Holocaust and civil rights. Last year we began to archive these valuable objects, assigning each one a number and category, storing them in professional archive containers, and using protective display cases in the Michael Klahr Center for our visitors to enjoy without fear of causing damage to the artifacts. The next step, for which we received funding from the Sam L. Cohen Foundation, involves two separate and yet connected projects. The first is a workshop for teachers to familiarize themselves with the Holocaust artifacts that we have at the HHRC and how to use them (digitally) in their classrooms. The second involves creating individual programs that center on specific objects. So far we have written three: one is based around a child’s shoe found at one of the camps; one focuses on currency from the Lodz ghetto; and the third explores letters from a Berlin doctor Hans Muehsam written to his cousin in New York as he desperately sought help obtaining a visa to leave Germany and emigrate to the United States.
Open for Rentals
The beautiful Michael Klahr Center is open for rentals. The space offers a large classroom for presentations and meetings with zoom and projection capabilities; a sun-filled atrium for receptions; a 75-seat auditorium for talks and gatherings; and rotating exhibits of photography, artwork, collage, wood assemblages and immersive multimedia testimonials from Holocaust survivors. We can recommend quality local food service and assist with equipment set-up and tours. This is a wonderful venue for classes, presentations, gatherings, film screenings, and celebrations. The rate for rentals is $250 for a weekday, but we are open to accommodations as needed. If you would like more information, or to reserve the space, email the HHRC at info@hhrcmaine.org.
Hours & Directions
We are open from 8:00–4:00 Monday through Friday and welcome visitors.
Please call ahead to be sure we are open when you arrive. The Center calendar aligns with the University of Maine at Augusta, so check for holidays and inclement weather closures on the UMA website.
We are housed in The Michael Klahr Center located at the University of Maine, Augusta. Our address is 46 University Drive, Augusta, Maine. Click on the map image for a detailed map of the UMA campus.
From the South: Take I-295 N/US-1 North toward Augusta. Take exit 112A, stay right at the intersection to merge onto ME-8 South. Tavel 0.6 miles then turn right onto University Drive. At the top of hill, bear right and into the parking lot.
From the North: Take 95 South toward Augusta. Take exit 112, merge onto ME-8 South. Travel 0.7 miles then turn right onto University Drive. At the top of hill, bear right and into the parking lot.