HREI turns 21
DEVIN WEEKS/Press Tiffany Toston-Lopez of Post Falls, left, and Kathy Gurko of Coeur d’Alene sing “Imagine” by John Lennon during a sing-along in the Human Rights Education Institute during International Human Rights Day on Tuesday evening.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press Cecelia Curtis shares excerpts from the “Mildred Bailey Show” on Tuesday as guests enjoy celebrating the Human Rights Education Institute’s 21st anniversary on Human Rights Day.
COEUR d’ALENE — Nothing gets people in the mood for peace and love like a good John Lennon song.
Dakotah Andrews of Coeur d’Alene asked all who were able to stand up and join him in singing together as a part of the Human Rights Day celebration Tuesday night at the Human Rights Education Institute.
“You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one,” they sang. “I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.”
About 100 friends, allies, supporters and community members gathered at HREI to wish the nonprofit a happy 21st birthday during a social evening that included music, appetizers and reminders about how far human rights have come, but how much work is yet to be done.
HREI was founded on Dec. 10, 1998, 40 years to the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after World War II. This document proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
“I grew up in Spokane, graduated from Gonzaga (University) and I came over here after college some years later, and had some experiences that said I should get involved,” said Christina Lee of Coeur d’Alene, who serves on HREI’s board. “At this point in my life, having children, I knew that there were people who paved the way for myself, so time to do the same for our babies.”
Lee said it was encouraging to see so many people at the celebration, which provided an overview of human rights heroes, some of HREI’s history and a reflection on all the programs and accomplishments from the past year.
“It’s empowering for all of us, and there’s a promise of hope for my children,” Lee said. “Here in Coeur d’Alene, it’s speaking volumes for us to come.
“I would not be living here without organizations like this that have stepped up and said, ‘Enough,’” she said.
HREI executive director Jeanette Laster said events like this are actually quite emotional for her to experience. She said those who performed during the evening chose the most fitting songs for the occasion.
“They all had a powerful statement,” she said. “It’s such a joy to see this room full. It’s sometimes a struggle to get people here, but this is such an amazing event. It is meant to be a celebration, not a ‘Debbie Downer’ about the issues in the world. It’s a celebration of how we come together, and I think that’s important to recognize.”
Info: www.hrei.org