Service Above Self

As we mark the birth of our nation, thought it would be fitting to salute an outstanding U.S. and now international service organization, the Rotary Club. Its motto: "Service Above Self."

More specifically, I'd like to salute the work of the Rotary Club of Providence--and to take time to recognize the recent election of its 102nd president, Barbara Harris. 102nd!

I'm very proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Providence, which is one of the oldest and largest service organizations around.

And I'm pleased that Family Service of RI is supportive of my participation in this great organization, which holds a range of community activities that raise money for grants and other good works in the City of Providence.

Learn more at http://www.providencerotary.org/. And check out this GoLocalProv story about Providence Rotary's recent grant-making.

And congrats to Barbara, who started her one-year  term July 1.

She's past president of the College Hill Neighborhood Association, and has served on the board of the Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Seniors Agency, both in Providence.  She is also currently an elected member of the Democratic Ward 2 Committee on Providence’s East Side neighborhood.

She has a law degree from Suffolk University, an M.A. in art history from Boston University, and a B.A. in art history from Simmons College.  She’s a former teacher of art history at Westfield State College and Boston University. And she's a talented oil painter, holding exhibits in the region.

Congrats, Barbara, and best wishes!

--Stephen L. Hug