Diana Kerry to Lead Public Policy Institute

[kerrygoddess]

Diana Kerry to Lead Public Policy Institute
October 30th, 2005

John Kerry’s sister, Diana Kerry is taking on a “new job as director of the Public Policy Institute at North Shore Community College” in MA.

She is a longtime educator, world traveler, and ardent promoter of civic involvement. And as the sister of US Senator John F. Kerry, she has seen government and politics up close.

The institute is a grass-roots organization designed to promote civic engagement at the college and in the communities it serves, according to Wayne Burton, president of North Shore Community College. Through the institute, Kerry has already been working with the city of Lynn on a pilot program to prevent middle school students from becoming involved in gangs.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=991

[Luftmensch067]

1. They are the nicest family!!!!

I happened to see her at the John Edwards speech at the Kennedy School at Harvard a couple of weeks ago. They ended up having the event outside and I spotted her walking on the lawn with someone I didn't recognize. I recognized her at once -- they have distinctive faces in that family!!! :-)

I asked her "Are you Diana Kerry?" even though there could be no mistaking her, and she very cordially extended her hand indicating with her polite expression that she wasn't sure if we'd met. I assured her that she didn't, in fact, know me, and then went on to say that I admired the work of "both her brothers", adding hastily and probably rudely that I also admired her work. She smiled kindly and I walked off, cursing myself for being so clumsy. I really wish I'd known then that she was about to embark on this excellent project; I might have been less thoughtless!

I remember seeing both her and Cam at the Boston thank you event and they were also at the concession speech, weren't they? I think it's telling and wonderful how they all support each other. Unlike those relatives of the Occupier who posted a website before the election discouraging voters from supporting him!!!

[karynnj]

4. It's cool that she went to the John Edwards speech

It really is amazing that all four siblings have such committment to public service. Kerry's daughters seemed in their own ways to have that same sense of committment.

I wonder if part of JK's resilancy is derived from having this strong family backing, not just because he's their relative, but because of shared beliefs and trust that he is genuinely fighting for good.

[Luftmensch067]

6. I think you've said it beautifully here, karynnj!

You can just sense their strong commitment to service in every action they take. Decent, good people.

I don't know for sure that she was there for the speech; she might have been at the KSG for some other reason, but I was pleased to think that she might have just come from seeing Edwards inside, before he came out to speak. I love the thought that the Kerry and Edwards families formed a lasting bond during the campaign.

[Island Blue]

2. The Kerry's really are an incredible family

The sense of public service instilled in them all at an early age always shines through in their work and their lives, whether publicly or quietly behind the scenes. Thanks for posting KG!

Oh, and welcome to the Kerry group Luftmensch! :hi:

[k j]

3. "The Kerry's really are an incredible family"

They are. :-)

Luftmensch, I would have done the same thing and probably much worse. The Kerry's must used to people stumbling over their words when they meet.

[Luftmensch067]

5. I suppose they are used to it! LOL!

Thanks for saying so, kj!! And thanks for the welcome, Island Blue. :-)

It's true -- I met Cam at the JFK Library event early this year and thanked him for all his work in Ohio. I hinted darkly that I was sure not all the votes had yet been found (I think this was in February and I was even less "over it" than I am now!) All the Kerry siblings have exquisite manners, but I felt that he didn't really want to be talking about that subject at that time, so I felt sorry to have brought it up!

Thanks to everyone here who has been so friendly and welcoming!!!! It really DOES feel like home around here...

[k j]

7. Love your

handle, Luftmensch, btw. :-)

[Luftmensch067]

8. Thanks, kj!

You probably saw my explanation of it, over at LUTD, a while back?

If not -- it comes from my mom telling me when I was little that a luftmensch was a dreamer. An impractical dreamer, I think. I get the impression that in Jewish culture it was often used in a spirit of exasperation, but I loved the term as soon as I heard it. However imperfect my understanding of the nuances of the Yiddish, to me, it meant someone who would let NO ONE destroy their dreams. Someone who demanded to make their dreams into reality, no matter what anyone said.

And that is my only defense against the savage destruction we see from both the far Right AND the far Left in this country right now. I do not have to abide by their crazy beliefs of what reality is. I can dream a better future, with tolerance and shades of grey and without hate and despair. I will live my life trying to make the world what I dream it can be. My head may be in the clouds, but that just means I can fly!