Leslie Lewis Kirkwood
Neptune Beach, Florida
How is your Hero working to make the world a better place?
Leslie gives new meaning to "Never Again." She created the Remembering for the Future Community Holocaust Initiative (RFTF) in 2004 after learning of the genocide in Darfur and witnessing a disturbing rise in hate speech and acts of intolerance in her hometown and across our nation. Victims were targeted because of their religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds, lifestyle choices, and the color of their skin. The community seemed indifferent and reluctant to respond. The silence reminded Leslie of the Nazi regime's early days, when discrimination led to violence and ultimately to the murder of six million Jews. Refusing to be a bystander, Leslie stood up, spoke out, and convinced others to do the same. Through RFTF, Leslie uses the lessons of the Holocaust to confront hatred and discrimination and build understanding and acceptance throughout our diverse community of one million. RFTF educates and informs. We have established The Holocaust Collection, a permanent multimedia collection in the Jacksonville Main Library, trained over 300 teachers in Holocaust education best practices, provided curriculum and materials to 100 schools, operated a speakers' bureau, and organized major exhibitions and lecture series. RFTF collaborates. We partner with Yad Vashem, United States and Florida Holocaust museums, Shoah Foundation, Anti-Defamation League, Southern Poverty Law Center, area colleges and universities, school districts, and 30 local educational, cultural, and religious organizations and government agencies. RFTF is proactive. We confront barriers that threaten to divide us from one another. We tackle issues ranging from genocide to school bullying to discrimination in healthcare.
How has your Hero impacted your life and inspired you?
A tireless volunteer advocate for civil and human rights, hunger, and children's health issues, Leslie practices tikkun olam daily. "I will do what I can," is the simple code she lives by. Her activism inspires everyone, young and old, Jews and people of other faiths. Leslie encourages others to follow their own passion for community service. This is especially true for young, emerging leaders. She helps us overcome obstacles that slow our progress and threaten to block our way. Leslie creates unique solutions to persistent, complex problems. She changes individuals and institutions for the better; she strengthens our community.