Linda Dorcena Forry

Last month I was honored to participate in a Haiti relief benefit concert hosted by Harvard University. All proceeds from the event went to Partners In Health, an organization that has been in Haiti for over 25 years that has done great work both before and after the earthquake.  The Harvard for Haiti concert featured performances by artists of all kinds, including musicians, dancers and poets. Though I am certainly not a poet, I read a sonnet that an 8^th grader from Dartmouth named Molly Nichols, sent into my office.

When I first read the sonnet, I was thoroughly moved. Then, when I found out that an 8^th grader wrote it, I was amazed.  Since the earthquake there has been a tremendous outpouring of support from our government, including Mayor Menino, Governor Patrick, and President Obama, as well as from private citizens.  Molly’s poem, however, for its simple grace and heartfelt emotion will always hold a special place in my heart.  I hope someday that she will write of the rebuilding process, which we know will require a long and sustained commitment

The entire night was one of astounding performances and I thank Harvard for allowing me to be a part of such a moving event.

The video of the event can be found at the below link.   My participation starts around minute 34.

http://specialevents.isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k65327&pageid=icb.page301262&pageContentId=icb.pagecontent593418&view=watch.do&viewParam_entry=19074&state=maximize#a_icb_pagecontent593418