Irish America

March April 2020 Issue

Hall of Fame: Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher Jean Butler

By Tom Deignan, Columnist
march / april 2020

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A few years back, the Irish dancing community was dealt a series of devastating losses. Four celebrated dance masters – Jimmy Erwin, Jerry Mulvihill, Michael Bergin, and Peter Smith – passed away in close succession.“All I could think,” recalls Riverdance choreographer and dancer Jean Butler, “was the steps and stories that died with them. The dances live in the … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher Jean Butler

Hall of Fame: Judy Collins Singer, Songwriter, Social Activist

By Christine Kinealy, Columnist
March / April 2020

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It is difficult to define or to encapsulate Judy Collins in under 2,000 words. Ironically though, perhaps just two words can provide an insight into this remarkable woman’s activism, career, and song choices: they are, “amazing grace.” Everything Judy has done in her long and varied life have shown ability, creativity, tenacity, and – grace. These two words also happen to be … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Judy Collins Singer, Songwriter, Social Activist

Hall of Fame: Patrick Doherty, The New York Official Who Uses Investment Power to Promote Human Rights.

By Tom Deignan, Columnist
March / April 2020

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New York Official Uses Investment Power to Promote Human Rights Patrick Doherty recalls one of many St. Patrick’s Day parties on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where his parents met, and his grandparents still lived when he was young.“The parade in those days ended at 96th Street. So, each year my grandmother basically invited the whole parade back to their apartment,” … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Patrick Doherty, The New York Official Who Uses Investment Power to Promote Human Rights.

Hall of Fame: Thomas Kelly, Visionary, Educator, and Advocate for “Great and Giving Lives.”

By Tom Deignan, Columnist
March / April 2020

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Visionary Educator and Advocate for “Great and Giving Lives" Fifteen years ago, when Thomas Kelly, Ph.D., became Horace Mann School’s Head of School, the independent school’s reputation was already established. Founded in 1887, the N-12 northern Bronx preparatory school has educated generations of the tristate area’s best and brightest, including Pulitzer Prize-winning … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Thomas Kelly, Visionary, Educator, and Advocate for “Great and Giving Lives.”

Hall of Fame: Sean McGarvey: Promoting Diversity in the Building Trades

By Patricia Harty, Editor-in-Chief
March / April 2020

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Sean McGarvey began his career as a glazier, so it’s fitting that he has an office with a view. And what a view! McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), has an unobstructed view of the White House from his office in the union’s headquarters on 16th Street in Washington, D.C. Not bad for a guy who was fresh out of high school when he began his … [Read more...] about Hall of Fame: Sean McGarvey: Promoting Diversity in the Building Trades