Fellow Rotarians and guests:
I am deeply honored to introduce Frances Dixon who has been recognized by the Rotary International community for her decades-long efforts to make a difference in the lives of some of the poorest and most disenfranchised people in the world - Mayan families!
Recognizing the abject poverty of the indigenous Mayans displaced by Guatemala's long brutal civil war to the remotest areas of their country, Frances set out to do something about it. Determining that offering educational opportunities are some of the most effective tools against poverty and conflict, she resolved to bring hope to children in Guatemala's remote western highlands.
In the early 1990s, she started - and continues to lead - the non-profit organization Adopt-A-Village in Guatemala. This included acquiring land, building a school, even establishing a farm to battle malnutrition and related health problems, all in hopes of bettering the lives of Mayan families.
As a longtime Rotarian, many of you have met Frances during one of her project presentations and may have participated in her fundraisers over the years. I did not meet Frances until our newly chartered club decided to pursue service dedicated to basic education and literacy - in partnership with Adopt-A-Village. The result is our Let's Leave No Girl Behind project targeting the most underserved group of impoverished Mayans - girls! Working with Frances on this project and visiting the site made me realize just how amazing this lady's unwavering dedication and diligence to bringing hope to children and families is - one life at a time!
Today our project offers yearly scholarships to four girls and helps fund early education outreach programs to elementary school students.
Frances has dedicated thirty years of her life to making a difference - sacrificing a career in marketing, family life, and her life savings - by spending the better part of each year working side-by-side with Mayan families.
Her unwavering dedication to the guiding Rotary principle of Service Above Self reflects great credit upon herself, on our district, every one of us here, and indeed on the entire Rotary world. With this most prestigious Rotary award, Frances joins three other members in our club who have been recognized for their longstanding dedication to service with this same award!
So, Frances - come back soon and continue to inspire us to be our best!
Thank you!
Emily Francona
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