Submitted by the Orcas Senior Center.

It is tempting to abandon hope for a more just world in the age of the 24-hour news cycle. Our strides toward progress can seem distant and blurred. This presentation by Mary Togtman-Wood, focusing on human equality will remind us, however, that there is still cause for optimism by weaving together our historical achievements on this front.

The dots to be connected will include our 1776 Declaration of Independence, the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, a 1950 UNESCO Statement on Race, the 1950 Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and a 1978 UNESCO Statement on Race and Racial Prejudice. We will consider the perspective that each of these documents implies – and in some cases states – that we are one family sharing our planet.

Togtman-Wood holds degrees in speech communication, elementary education and adult education. Her professional career spanned teaching adults as well as children, social services, and most recently she retired as executive director of Interfaith Association of NW Washington, an organization serving homeless families.

Join us at Orcas Senior Center for this free Connecting the Dots presentation at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.