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Samantha Green is working with the United Way in Santa Cruz County until July 2010 as an AmeriCorps member. She is focused on creating volunteer opportunities - both with the United Way and our partner agencies. Through her efforts, more of our donors will have the opportunity to LIVE UNITED by volunteering. Below are her reflections on the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy and his call to action for all of us.
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Much has been said in recent weeks about the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. Yet, I too would like to take a moment to reflect on the Senator's life work -- and the impact of his life and work on me personally.
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Senator Kennedy dedicated his life to the service of others. He chose to fight for those who did not have his power or connections and who were unable to speak for themselves. He helped to create and later strenghten the AmericCorps program, for which, I now serve the United Way of Santa Cruz County. This is the lens through which I now view this nation and the Kennedy legacy.
I was born in 1983, far beyond the years of Camelot. My connection to Robert and John is tenuous at best, gleaned from history books and the memories of others. Ted Kennedy was the only Kennedy my generation has known. Personally flawed and politically contentious, he reflected our experience of the world around us.
Ted Kennedy was a true statesman; he realized the world cannot be changed by legislation alone. It takes the action of individuals to create real change. For years, he has argued that in order to creat a stronger America, we need individuals willing to put the needs of others above the needs of themselves. Over the years, he has repeatedly called us to action. He has reminded us that a weakness in our society is a weakness in ourselves and when we seek change, we can only turn to ourselves. As we enjoy the comforts of our own lives, we must respond to the needs of our fellow man.
While these ideas parallel those of other Kennedys, they held new meaning in the face of Ted. He was the leader for a new era of development work, an era in which we no longer pursue our goals with a sense of idealism, but with realism and determination. An era in which we enter the field knowing that there is no end point, only progress, and in which we are learning to accept that reality.
It is with great pride that I serve his legacy through my work with the United Way and AmericCorps. I am dedicated to serving this community and to creating opportunities for others to serve. I invite you to join me.
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