A ten minute video interview by President Leona McKenna with Marj Awalt follows on Hugh Awalt’s work and contributions with ACB of Maine and many of his community volunteer activities.
Video Credit – Jason Levasseur,
Acoustified Media; Andrea Salib
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Leona McKenna,
who was always there to lend a hand and share a smile.
Obituary:
Leona Ray McKenna (centralmaine.com)
2023 Leona McKenna President’s Message
Happy
January and 2023! It seems like just yesterday that I was writing my first
President’s message for ACB Maine and here we are a year later. I wish
to thank all of you for choosing me to lead you through another
year!
We have an enthusiastic board to assist me in fulfilling
ACBMaine’s mission statement which is to improve the lives of citizens
in Maine who are blind.
We will work hard to achieve this; however,
we need all of you to help! You might ask, “What can I do?”
You can attend our board meetings held on the first Thursday of even months.
You can volunteer to be on a committee, which will be listed below.
You could help our membership to grow by getting a friend to
join! If each of you brings in one member, our membership would
double!
This is your organization and we want to know what we can
do to make it work for all of you! Share your thoughts and ideas with the
board members at board meetings or email one of us. Our email addresses
can be found on the website.
We had a good year in 2022 with the
start up of Tech Talk, an exciting and educational convention, and a
record number of scholarship applicants.
ACBMaine is sponsoring Tech Talk with Steve
Sawczyn again this year. Tech Talk is the second Tuesday of every month.
If you want to be put on Steve’s email list, send him a message: Steve@Sawczyn.com
At
our November virtual convention with PTGDU, we had an inspiring keynote
speaker, Svetlana Ehlers, and a panel of college students who shared their
challenges as a blind student, their goals and ambitions. We also had a
nice presentation from the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The membership
voted to hold the convention in Portland for 2023. The planning for this
year’s convention needs to start immediately! If you are interested in
helping on the planning, please contact me!
In 2022, we had a
record number of scholarship applicants which resulted in ACBMaine giving
out $3500 to deserving students! We are honored to be able to assist these
students in furthering their education.
Let’s make 2023 as
wonderful and successful for ACB Maine!
Thank you,
Leona
McKenna
2022 Leona McKenna President’s Message
This past October, I was granted the honor of leading an organization for which I have been a part of for many years. In that time I have seen ACB of Maine go through many changes. As president of ACB, I will encourage positive change and promote the growth of this organization. It is the strength that comes from an alliance among people who share adversity, an understanding of the capabilities of blind individuals and a mission to bring about true equality for all individuals that gives ACB of Maine a solid foundation on which to stand. Our common bond as blind individuals and our goal to bring about change that leads to a fully inclusive society keeps our organization working toward a brighter future. As we enter into a new and challenging phase for our organization, I am hopeful that we can come together again as an organization and as friends. I believe that together we can accomplish more. –Leona McKenna
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller
Full inclusion of people who are blind or visually impaired is not a matter of charity but of civil rights. As an organization which advocates for the rights of blind individuals, our goal is to meaningfully contribute to the conversation which brings about inclusion for people of all abilities. What we seek as blind individuals is no different than that of any other person, employment, dignity, consideration, respect, and equal access. Yet too often, we must overcome barriers before receiving those things to which we as humans have an inherent right. Through our message that nothing less than full inclusion is acceptable, we as blind individuals and as an organization of persons who are blind can shape how society views and treats people who are blind. It is the change in the fundamental way in which society defines what is “normal” and what it means to be “impaired” That we as an organization and as blind individuals can affect the most. It is the change in this fundamental way of thinking that will bring about true inclusion. After all, a community that includes all citizens, regardless of ability, is a thriving and prosperous community!
2021 Sherry Belka President’s Message
“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” Helen Keller
