We are so grateful for those who were able to join us on Wednesday, October 22, for a memorable evening. Though such occasions are always heavy with the weight of human suffering, the night was a powerful reminder that our work is made possible by the enduring strength of community and hope. It is these two things that enable us to “be in the trenches and keep our hearts intact” (to paraphrase a quote shared by former CDPL office manager and investigator, Cas Shearin).
For those who were not present, please know that you were missed. The highlights of the evening were, of course, hearing from former Executive Director, Gretchen Engel, and the inspirational Bryan Stevenson.
Gretchen, lovingly referred to as “THE LEGEND” by former client Lenny Buchanan, spoke about the highs and lows of her 33-year career advocating on behalf of society’s most vulnerable individuals. Exemplifying the humanity central to her work, Gretchen touched on her own personal journey towards holistic empathy and moral imagination through meeting with victims’ loved ones and her love of reading.
Bryan Stevenson, who gave Gretchen her first job in anti-death penalty work, paid tribute to Gretchen’s career throughout a moving oration, emphasizing the importance of truth-telling in the midst of a political environment of fear and anger, cultivating solidarity in moments of perceived isolation, and defending grace and mercy even when it feels like a hopeless pursuit.
Both speakers acknowledged the reality of the times: nationally, executions are on the rise. In North Carolina, recently enacted House Bill 307 threatens to end a 19-year pause on state-sanctioned killings in the Tarheel State. But both speakers also left us with a challenge. To hope. To care. To do. And to “keep on keeping on.”
Watch a recap below. Thank you to Random Gott for the video!
Finally, a special thank you to our sponsors:
Co-Hosts
Jay & Kay Ferguson
Richard Samulski
Partners
Akin Adepoju
Donald Beskind and Wendy Robineau
Burton & Heather Craige
Benefactors
Terrica Redfield Ganzy
Rep. Marcia Morey
Champions
Frank Baumgartner and Jennifer Thompson
Joseph Demeo and Patty Brennan
Sandy Demeree
Lisa Dubs
Hon. Sam J. Ervin IV
Stephen Greenwald and Rebecca Sullivan
Robert Mosteller & Elizabeth Gibson
Gerda Stein and Lee Norris
Jake Sussman and Jessica Flaxman
David Teddy
Julian and Amy Wright
Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton, LLP
Defenders
Jane and Adam Stein
Dawn Baxton
Cait Fenhagen and John Carlson
Steve Schewel & Lao Rubert
North Carolina Lawyers 4 the Rule of Law
Jacquelyn Willingham
Advocates
Kenneth J. Rose and Beth Silberman
Dionne R. Gonder-Stanley
Tye and Wanda Hunter
David Neal and Jennifer Weaver
Marcia Owen
Helen and Fred Spielman
Emily Coward and Raphael Ginsberg
Barbara Ellertson
Henderson and Renee Hill
Janet Moore and Neil W. Tollas
Dickson Phillips
Kathleen Zbytniuk
Cindy Adcock and Pat McCoy
Beth Anderson
Hannah Autry
Bradley Bannon
John Charles Boger
Danielle Carman and Jeff Conners
Michel Cavigelli
Emily Gladden
Elaine Gordon & Robert M. Hurley
Sally Greene
Carolyn Ikenberry
Valerie Johnson
Gerald “Bo” King
Virginia Knowlton Marcus in honor of DISABILITY RIGHTS NORTH CAROLINA
Alexa McKerrow and Milo Pyne
Carol Miller
David Mills and Leila Keen
North Carolina Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
Karen O’Mansky and Andrew Barron
Marilyn Ozer
Jean Parks
Kristin Parks
Daniel Pollitt and Linda Weisel
Mark Rabil
John Reagle
Cas Shearin
Robert & Jess Singagliese
Karen Stegman
Cassandra Stubbs
Deonte Thomas and Elizabeth/Beth Hopkins
Mary Thompson
Kathryn VandenBerg
Jenny Warburg
Libby Webb