University and Community Honors 2004 Quinn Award Winner

By Leigh DuPuy

Above: Many came out in honor of Isaura Mendes’ achievements, including: (front row) Dan Conley, Suffolk Country District Attorney; Maureen Feeney, Boston City Councilor; Jim Kelly, Boston City Councilor; Chancellor Jo Ann Gora; Isaura Mendes; Chuck Turner, Boston City Councilor. (back row): Jack Wilson, president of the University of Massachusetts; Andrea Cabral, Suffolk County Sheriff; Robert H. Quinn; and Captain Tom Lee of Area C-II, Dorchester.

For Isaura Mendes, the 2004 recipient of the Robert H. Quinn Award, her community activism is a deeply personal one. In an emotional speech to a crowded Ryan Lounge, Mendes said, “I want to make a difference to everyone in my community and my family. I have four children and six grandchildren and I can’t give up. Survivors and their families must get together to make a difference.”

On March 16, UMass Boston held its eighteenth Annual Community Breakfast in honor of Mendes’ exemplary community service. Elected officials such as Representative Marie St. Fleur; Boston City Councilors Maureen Feeney, Chuck Turner, and Jim Kelly; Andrea Cabral, Suffolk County Sheriff; and Dan Conley, Suffolk County District Attorney, joined community leaders, local business people, and UMass Boston faculty and staff members to pay tribute to Mendes and her achievements.

“I am delighted to welcome you all to the breakfast. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate UMass Boston’s relationship with the community,” said Chancellor Jo Ann Gora. After a recitation of Mendes’ many achievements and honors, including the 2002 Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus “Profile of Courage” award, Chancellor Gora noted, “You are truly a profile in courage.”

“What you have done for our community is enthralling for all of us,” said Robert H. Quinn, former Massachusetts Speaker of the House of Representatives, for whom the award is named. “You have taken a terrible tragedy and turned it around to something positive for the community.”

“We walk against violence,” said Mendes in her address to the breakfast. Since the death of her son, Bobby Mendes, in 1995, Mendes has worked tirelessly to bring about peace on city streets. Working with other community leaders, she helped organize the First Annual Parents’ and Children’s Walk for Peace in July 2000, which attracted 300 marchers in its inaugural year. The annual march is now in its fifth year.

“I want to thank everyone who is here today, honoring just one of us who has lost our children,” said Mendes, who has been a resident of Uphams Corner since she emigrated from Cape Verde when she was fifteen years old. “I have lived here for thirty-seven years and I love Dorchester. I want to try and make it a better place.”

“Of course, we say congratulations,” said Jack Wilson, president of University of Massachusetts, who followed Mendes’ stirring speech. “But more importantly, we must say thank you for setting the example.”

Many of the former awardees were in attendance, including Chris Hayes of Boston Police Neighborhood Crime Watch, Joe Chaisson of Columbia/Savin Hill Civic Association, Farther George Carrigg, Rev. Dr. Bill Loesch, Sister Maryadele Robinson, and Ed Forry of the Dorchester Reporter.

The Quinn Award was established in honor of Robert H. Quinn, whose record includes serving as Massachusetts attorney general and chair of the UMass Board of Trustees.

Images:
Middle: Mendes smiles with Bob Quinn following the conclusion of the breakfast.
Below: Dominga Carvalho, sister of Isaura Mendes; Mendes; Shannon Flaherty of the Bobby Mendes Peace Legacy and nominator of Mendes; and Hal Cohen, colleague and friend of Mendes. (Photos by Harry Brett)

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