On October 16th, Sponsors was honored to host the human rights activist Sister Helen Prejean. Sister Helen is known for her decades of work defending the rights and dignity of people who have been incarcerated, particularly people on death row. The Academy Award winning film “Dead Man Walking” with Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, was about Sister Helen’s journey as spiritual advisor to Matthew Poncelet as he awaited execution. Sister Helen has remained a powerful voice for a more just, redemptive and humane justice system. She does not believe that: “the government can legally kill someone to punish the perpetrator and to reinforce that killing other people is wrong.”
Sponsors hosted an intimate gathering of approximately 40 people at our new Roosevelt Crossing men’s facility, where Sister Helen spoke about her work in prisons and communities around the country. She engaged in a dialogue with the audience on a variety of subjects. There was a diversity of people in attendance, including Sponsors staff, clients, board members, donors and community members and activists. Sister Helen spoke primarily about the enduring possibility of individual redemption and the need for a major prison system reform. Her disarming manner, frank and enthralling storytelling and charming southern accent made her a wonderful speaker, and the message was enhanced by her humor and graciousness. Sponsor’s director, Paul Solomon, when speaking of her said, “Doesn’t she just make every-one feel like you’re her best friend?” Her ability to connect with people, even people whom every-one else has “thrown away,” such as inmates on death row, has made Sister Helen a champion of human rights and dignity to the many people she has counseled.
While at Sponsors, Sister Helen took a tour of the new facility and learned about many of Sponsors new programs. She expressed her deep appreciation for the services, commitment and beauty of the program.
Paul Solomon and the Eugene Opera‘s Executive Director, along with board member Tony Meyer, shared some very exciting news related to Sister Helen. Three inter-related events will occur in 2013. It will mark Sponsor’s 40th anniversary, the final year of the annual “Prisons, Peace and Compassion” international conference series sponsored by Unesco and the Center for Intercultural Dialogue at the University of Oregon, chaired by Steve Shankman, and the Eugene Opera’s production of “Dead Man Walking.” These three auspicious events will be jointly celebrated by the three organizations. Sister Helen publicly voiced her support for the events and looked forward to returning to Eugene.
After her talk, guest enjoyed treats donated by the Sweet Life Bakery of Eugene.
