Text Size: A
A
A
A
The Chattanooga chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge kicks off its new year with a membership reception open to the community Oct. 11 at the EPB building downtown.
“We’re looking for anyone that’s interested in furthering the American dream,” said Esther Taj, current parliamentarian and past chapter president. “People who love America should be wanting to see what they can do to teach our young people.”
Ooltewah resident Esther Taj, parliamentarian for the Chattanooga chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, invites all community members to the Freedoms Foundation membership reception Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. at EPB downtown.
Freedoms Foundation promotes and teaches U.S. history, government and citizenship to students and teachers. The organization’s main event is a yearly essay contest for high school juniors. Winners attend the American Youth Summit at Valley Forge and Philadelphia, Penn., in April.
“Students need to know where we have been and where we’re headed,” Taj said. “They need to have a knowledge of what America has done for us.”
Members also attend local naturalization ceremonies and host Freedoms Foundation groups of teachers touring western Civil War battlefields.
Taj joined the local Freedoms Foundation chapter as an educator soon after it was founded in 1970. The first training course she attended in 1974 featured speakers from Vietnam and Lithuania, who told stories of governments that use control to oppress their populace.
“We take it for granted,” Taj said. “We can listen to any kind of music we want to, read whatever we want to ... I think we have the best government anywhere.”
Taj, a resident of Ooltewah, is a former elementary school teacher and college professor. She was a principal in Hamilton County schools for 15 years.
“I find it hard to understand why people are not members of a group like this,” said Taj. “When I look at the ideals that our country was founded on and see the twisted way people think and how they want to change our laws, an organization like this can renew your hope in America.”
Members of the Freedoms Foundation meet quarterly. The fourth quarter meeting is the Tour of Homes fundraiser Saturday, Dec. 5.
The Oct. 11 Freedoms Foundation reception is free but registration is requested. Event begins at 2 p.m. EPB is located at 10 W. M.L. King Blvd.
For more information and to register call 894-5323 or 698-5068.
del.icio.us
digg
Furl
Spurl
YahooMyWeb
co.mments
Ma.gnolia
De.lirio.us
blogmarks
BlinkList
NewsVine
scuttle
Fark
Shadows
Comments
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.