“We may not be able to stop all the evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another… that is entirely up to us.” - President Barack Obama
Have plenty of tissue before opening this book. Janet Marcotte, executive director of YWCA Tucson, beautifully weaves her gorgeous photos of the January 8, 2011 memorials with the words from President Obama’s McKale Center speech on January 12, 2011.
I challenge any Tucsonan to keep a dry eye while turning these pages. This book is emotionally powerful; it brings back all the feelings from that heart-shattering day. But it is also a potent testament to our community and how we responded after the tragedy. In our core, underneath all of the layers, we are loving, caring and beautiful people. For this we are blessed.
At the press conference, Marcotte said the project started as “a collection of images for Congresswoman Giffords who wouldn’t have a chance to see it (the memorials).”
Publishing these photos to share with everyone is a wonderful tribute to Tucson’s compassionate spirit. The book is a community effort, a joint venture between the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding and YWCA Tucson. Arizona Lithographers printed the book for cost and the layout was done by TBRich Design. Of the $20 price, $17 goes to support the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding’s anti-bullying programs.
The heart-rending work is available by visiting FundForCivility.org and YWCATucson.org; the YWCA site also lists retail partners selling the book
