Celebration of social work

PORTLAND — On Friday, Nov. 2, legislators, community and state partners and practitioners will join University of Southern Maine’s School of Social Work in honoring the impact of social work in Maine. The inaugural USM School of Social Work Community Celebration, which will be held in the Abromson Community Education Center on the USM Portland campus, will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by the evening’s program at 7. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. David Wagner, professor of social work, and USM alumna Jennifer Barton Gilman will provide the evening’s keynote address based on their recently published book “Confronting Homelessness: Poverty, Politics, and the Failure of Social Policy.”

The evening will also include presentations from leaders in the field, including Mark Swann, executive director of Preble Street; Susan Dore Lamb, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers, Maine Chapter; and State Sen. Justin Alfond. Bruce Spang, 2011 Maine poet laureate, will provide a reading.

The university will also honor four key members of the social work community, Tonya Dimillo of Cumberland Foreside, Patricia Huffman-Oh, Jackie Oliveri of Portland and Elizabeth Szatkowski of Portland.

To RSVP, contact Kitte Brennan at kbrennan@usm.maine.edu or 780-4120.

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Maine Media Women meeting

THOMASTON — Erika Pfander, who founded the Chamber Theatre of Maine in Thomaston, will be the guest speaker at the Saturday, Nov. 3, meeting of Maine Media Women, at the American Legion Hall on Star Street. Well known locally for her dramatic readings, Pfander’s topic will be “Speaking with Passion and Clarity  — and Getting Past the Stage Fright.” Her presentation will focus on aspects of public speaking that are pertinent in both personal and professional life.

Pfander, who lives in Thomaston, has been involved with acting since the age of 12, and studied theater in New York. In addition to her dramatic readings, she hosts weekly film screenings at the Thomaston Public Library. She is a Life Member of Maine Media Women.

Guests are always welcome at MMW meetings, which begin at 9:15 a.m. with coffee and networking. The meeting and program begin at 10.

Suggested donations are $3 for members, $5 guests. A portion of the money goes toward scholarships. For more information, visit www.mainemediawomen.org or their Facebook page, or contact MMW President Genie Dailey at finepoints1@aol.com or at 549-5518.


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