Pat Taub
GUEST POST by MARY DUNN
When one retires, the world around us often shifts in unexpected ways which can cause confusion and doubt. That was true for me. When I retired from teaching, I struggled with what direction my life would take and what I would do with my time.
I began to notice friends going about their lives as they always did. Many, who were already retired, took up new ways to fill their days, such as gardening and traveling. Those were things I always thought I would do once this stage arrived. But instead, I found those things didn’t provide the joy I had longed for. They left me feeling empty and at times depressed. That changed when I stumbled upon a Facebook page about a child detention camp in Homestead, Florida.
Homestead Children’s Detention Center whose exterior conceals the overcrowding and substandard living conditions
When I read our government was separating children from their families and putting them in camps I realized I could no longer ignore our country’s crisis. After communicating with others who were also trying to make sense of what was happening, we decided I would organize travel plans for people coming to bear witness.That one decision changed the direction of my life.
I helped people arrange travel from their homes to Florida. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted to stand in solidarity with those bearing witness at Homestead. That’s when I began to stand on a corner with a sign.
Mary at the start of her one woman vigil on a street corner in Waterville, Maine, c. March, 2019
With the encouragement of my husband, I made a sign, drove to town, and stood. The following week I stood again. That weekly vigil of standing on a corner holding a sign was cathartic. I stood in deep reflection over the reasons that caused me to stand in the cold with a sign that said, “Stop Separating Families.” People walked and drove by without contact of any kind, but for me it was spiritual.
A few months later a close friend asked if she could join me, so together we stood. People began to stop and ask what the sign was about. Most were unaware of what we were referring to. Several weeks later we hosted a rally to raise awareness. TV stations and newspapers came. The coverage was exactly what I had hoped for and the following week more people showed up to stand with us. More signs were made by local artists. They said, “Free the children.” “End family separations”.
Mary in pink cap and her good friend, Liz who was the first to join the weekly vigil
It became clear that people wanted to know about this subject. We continued to stand every Friday, rain or shine. As more people showed up, the reaction of those walking and driving by changed. We were getting supportive honks and thank yous.
While some folks who stood with us came and went, our core group continued to stand. For that hour every week we stand in solidarity. There is a saying that goes something like this, “If you ever wondered what you would have done during the holocaust or slavery, you are doing it now.” We decided we were not going to stand silently by.
This past summer’s weekly vigils in Waterville saw an increase in protesters for Mary’s cause
Before I started to stand, I felt empty. Living life without routines and purpose was unsettling as were the negative stereotypical images that society tells us comes with age. As my work with Homestead increased and I stood on the corner, I began to realize how lucky I was to have this time. It became clear that those initial feelings were an invitation to act.
This past summer Mary joined a Portland protest against caging children and against ICE’s practices
The act of raising my voice gave me power and a new sense of who I am. Entering this stage of life can be scary and challenging but I found that finding something that makes a difference, it can also be rewarding and fulfilling.
When I wake up now, I focus on this work. Rather than feeling overwhelmed with the news of the world, I feel strength and hope.
Mary Dunn is a retired educator and parent of two grown children. She has spoken and written on social justice issues related to our immigration policies, climate change, and healthy school food programs. Mary has been to Homestead to bear witness and will continue to support this work, including visits to the border. Despite what the article says, Mary does enjoy gardening and knitting in her spare time.
