I’ve been to my fair share of galas and fancy events. But “Celebrating Empowerment, Changing Lives” last week – the Rotary dinner honouring the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean – was something extra special. For one thing, I’ve never entered an elegant ballroom through a tent. Yes, a tent, and in high heels, no less. Nor do you usually see tables of teens at these soirées. Not just any teens mind you. Many were festooned with pins and patches identifying them as international Rotary exchange students from Croatia, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, France, Austria, Taiwan, Ecuador and Thailand. So from the students, to business executives, to Rotarians and non-profit types, it was an eclectic mix indeed.
The glittering room was a far cry from Haiti – a country that represents one of the links between Rotary, Michaëlle Jean and Ryan’s Well. But the important work being done there was very present. Madame Jean spoke passionately about the work of both Rotary and Ryan’s Well in her country of birth. “Let me be clear: in the midst of that epidemic, access to clean water was essential,” Madame Jean stated. “It made the difference between life and death.” Thankfully, our wells survived the earthquake and have continued to pump clean water – through both the earthquake and cholera crises – for thousands of people in the Artibonite Valley 24/7! That tent I mentioned? It’s part of a ShelterBox disaster relief kit and over the past two years, the Rotary club has sent 35,000 tents to help Haitian families survive.
Back to the glittering room where Madame Jean received the Paul Harris fellowship, named after Rotary’s founder to honour those who exemplify friendship, sympathy, integrity, devotion and idealism. Each of those qualities shone through in Madame Jean’s speech. She spoke fondly of her first state visit to Africa and the group that accompanied her, including Ryan and his mom Susan. She highlighted the influences of educators like Ryan’s first-grade teacher, Nancy Prest, who taught her class that they could make a difference in the world. And she and Ryan both gave a shout out to the youth in the room – who, she emphasized, can be the leaders of today, not just tomorrow.
It really was inspiring, I have to say, to be among others who share a passion for what Madame Jean described as “our resolve to see the fundamental values of humanity triumph in our communities, across our country, and around the world.” And when you consider all that, this special evening truly lived up to its name and exemplified what “Celebrating Empowerment, Changing Lives” really means.