Profiles
In Courage
A
Real Women Essay
by
Joshua Levenson
Dynamite,
chili peppers, and lemons have a few things in common. Tthey are all
small but have big effects. That is no exception for my mom. She may
be small in stature but she's big at heart.
She has
been a big influence in my life by teaching me, helping me, and being
a good example to follow. She has also been a big influence to many
other people, but she has helped women and girls the most. She did volunteer
work as a leader for a church youth group for girls ages 12-18. Her
next volunteer work was as the president of our church's women's group.
During
her time as one of the young women's leaders she was concerned about
the local and nationwide drug problem. So she sponsored the No Hope
in Dope program from Oahu and brought them over to the Big Island to
talk to kids about drugs. This included a parade, educational workshops,
and an all day drug and alcohol free concert. The next year, the No
Hope in Dope program volunteered to come back to the Big Island to do
more conferences and activities. Her efforts in bringing No Hope in
Dope to the Big Island helped a lot of people.
While
she was the leader for our church's women's group, she would plan activities
for church and the community, as well as provide support and comfort
to people in need. During her times as leader she helped many people
through hard times and was there to provide support for families.
Even though
I have to look down when I talk to her, I look up at her as a good example
and a good person. I know that many other people look up at her too.
Like I said big things come in small packages.
This essay
was featured in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald on Sunday, May 8, 2005.
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