Rotary Peace Scholar visits Sheridan Rotary

Rotary Peace Scholar Alexandra Hudson (front row, third from right) spoke to Sheridan Rotarians about civility in our democracy. (Photo provided)

Sheridan Rotary members recently welcomed Alexandra O. Hudson to a club meeting.

Ms. Hudson is a Rotary Peace Scholar who received her Master’s degree in Social Policy from the London School of Economics. She has worked as a Special Assistant in the office of the Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos at the U.S. Department of Education, worked at the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and worked in the policy department of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Office.

At present, Ms. Hudson lives in Indianapolis and is writing a book based on the thesis that civility is a keystone to a successful and vibrant democracy. She explained to the assembled Rotarians the importance of remaining civil even under dire circumstances and how that relates to our success as a nation. She noted that there have been times in our nation’s history when civil discourse has been overridden by outrage, indignant and bombastic rhetoric. Generally speaking these have characterized as regressive times in our history.

Ms. Hudson’s talk provided lots of thought provoking insight into current times in our nation. The assembled Rotarians were appreciative of her perception as to how democracy should work for the benefit of all. Many of us are eagerly awaiting her publication of her book about the subject of civility in democracy.

Sheridan Rotary meets formally at 6:15 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month for dinner and a guest speaker. Meetings take place at the Sheridan Public Library’s Community Room. The library is located at 103 W. First St. in beautiful uptown Sheridan. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact Rotarian Steve Martin at the library.

The next dinner meeting of the Sheridan Rotary Club will feature Sheridan Town Council president David Kinkead. Mr. Kinkead will give a summary of anticipated economic development projects planned for Sheridan this year. This will include the State Road 47 upgrade, city street improvements and proposed housing developments. His talk, beginning at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, will be open to the public to attend.