Community Corner

Lead the Dream: Working to Keep Martin Luther King Jr.'s Message Alive in Waukesha

Panel talks about service to others, diversity and equal rights.

Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas described the “Lead the Dream” event at Waukesha County Technical College that was presented by many community organizations as one of the best and said it sets a good standard for Waukesha County to reach in the future.

Vrakas said that he believes that even Martin Luther King Jr. would have been proud to listen to the many speakers that spoke about achieving equality among all diversities in Waukesha County.

“A man like Dr. King never really leaves us,” Vrakas said. “I think he will be with us forever.”

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The luncheon at Waukesha County Technical College was held Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and was followed by a bus tour of organizations in the county who are working to make a difference.

Three panelists who presented talked about different ways their organizations or companies have worked in the community. Each panelist received a plaque at the end of the event, including Jennifer Horth of Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps, Jim Haessly for the Waukesha School District and Mike Erwin for Tailored Label Products.

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Horth ended her presentation with a quote from George Washington Carver, which she said she believed was in line with Dr. King’s dream.

"You might think this doesn't affect you just as you might think hate crimes don't affect you or people with disabilities being abused doesn't affect you," Horth said. "But you know what George Washington Carver said was 'How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and of the strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.’”


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