President-elect David Dominick led the meeting at the University Club.  Linda Boss introduced guests and collected happy dollars.

 

Michael-jon Pease introduced Rita Dibble as speaker.  Rita is the VP of Advancement at Metropolitan State University.  It was a Rotary International Fellowship that brought Rita to the United States. 

 

Rita shared a very personal story of how she and her family have learned from her transgender son.  She shared her story of coming to Syracuse University, and then living and working in a small Pennsylvania town of 5700 people.  After Rita was threatened with racial violence after September 11, 2001, her church and community rallied around her.  Years later, when her child shared that he was transgender, Rita wondered how her community would rally around and accept her son.  Some found it difficult and others were highly supportive.