Jafagirls: HERO Tree

Hero Tree

Dayton Art Institute

The Hero Tree is part of the You Are My Superhero Summer at the Dayton Art Institute. Visitors are encouraged to share who their hero is and sign a badge (will be available at the front desk) and attach to the back of the tree.

Lisa Powell, staff photographer Dayton Daily News, photographing her Hero Badge dedicated to Chris Stewart

Send us the name of who your hero is and we will post it here (jafagirlart (at) yahoo.com

*****************
Everett L who turned 1 on 11/18 who was born 8 weeks early and has been a strong sweet champion since birth. Mum Jessica says he's amazing and healthy ♥

Margot Potter- an inspiring talented and crafty chic who puts herself out there, takes the heat and doesn’t let the naysayers stop her from turning lemons in sparkly lemonade.

Courage at the Olympics 1968- Tommie Smith and John Carlos gesture of resistance

21 Random Acts of Kindness -the quiet heroes in our lives

Russian Feminist Collective Pussy Riot who were arrested after an anti-Putin protest and face 7 years of jail

My mother.. Barabara L. Bonham…my strength when I was weak and fearful throughout my Chemo treatments….she is my super star among stars by Jennie Hudson.

Chemo pals Paulette Olson and Jennie Hudson by Susan Gartner

Esther Hetzler♥ 89 years young and a woman of Great wisdom, strength and resiliency and I love her by Lori Tuttle

Heroes in the Dark Knight Theatre in Colorado. I can’t even imagine the horror or the courage it took for so many in that theatre, but we honor their courage and our hearts go out to them and their families. Hero amid the bullets: the power of female friendship

Not forgetting our Canine Military Heroes, and here is one story about Lucca. If anyone is interested in adopting a retired Military Dog visit MilitaryWorkingDogAdoptions.

Aung San Suu Kyi- Burmese opposition politician and chairperson of the National League for Democracy( great link about WOMEN Heroes)

Hans Litten by Angela Makki – Hans Litten was a German lawyer who crossed Hilterand was after being arrested spent the rest of his life in concentration camps and was singled out for brutal treatment by the guards until his death. He read out his poemThoughts Are Free during an ordered prisoner performance held for a Nazi Anniversary.

Thoughts are free, who can guess them?
They flee by like nocturnal shadows.
No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them
with powder and lead: Thoughts are free!

I think what I want, and what delights me,
still always reticent, and as it is suitable.
My wish and desire, no one can deny me
and so it will always be: Thoughts are free!
And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon,
all this would be futile work,
because my thoughts tear all gates
and walls apart: Thoughts are free!

So I will renounce my sorrows forever,
and never again will torture myself with some fancy ideas.
In one’s heart, one can always laugh and joke
and think at the same time: Thoughts are free!

I love wine, and my girl even more,
Only I like her best of all.
I’m not alone with my glass of wine,
my girl is with me: Thoughts are free!

Che Guevara by Ivy Gisbon – “was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, his stylized visage has become a ubiquitous countercultural symbol of rebellion and global insignia within popular culture.”

Yellow Springs, Ohio 2011-2012 Hero Pole

Corner of Corry and Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Who are the heroes’ in your life? Add their name to the pole on a piece of felt and attach to the pole. You can use the pen provided or take home a patch and stitch their name onto it. If you would like us to add a name we can do that for you, and if you also wish to share a special story about your hero email us : jafagirlart @ yahoo.com.

OUR HEROES

My Mom Donna D – Doc Hammer – Breni – El Cholo Simeone AUPA ATLETI – Zoe Jakes – Aidan

From Yvonne Wingard

Wayne Wingard, my father, a veteran of WWII and Korea, refused to talk about either and then bravely endured cancer, including living to see me married and dying at home 10 days later in 1987.

Michael Ruddell, my husband, who lives daily with intense pain and being unable to work as he would like to; it is ripping him apart.

Roger Wingard, my brother, an artist. Fought an autoimmune disease to get his GED at age 50, only to be felled by a massive heart attack a few weeks later.

Annie Reefer Harkleroad, my Grandma. She had 10 children, 4 of which died before living past 5yrs. old (meningitis) and then had to raise most of them without my grandfather right after the depression. One of the nicest ladies you would have ever met, too!

Submitted by Jill (Founder of Council of Grandmothers)

Violet raised her children, and her grandchildren single handedly. She makes wonderful soap which she sells at our Farmers Market. Violet has a thrift shop in the front of her home and she makes sure that all the homeless or struggling people have clothes and shoes. She is kind, gentle and a grandmother to all the young ones who need a grandmother. She’s the best of the best!

From Kirsty Robson

DAVID GIBSON

Great Dads never really leave you, the lessons they teach you and the people they were are forever present in your own personality and actions. I had the best dad and I like to think he raised some pretty fab children. You may have left me when I was very young but I am constantly reminded how alike we are by the people who knew you well so I guess you did your job despite your early departure. I’ll always love you, and I know you would tell me the same if you could. Love you Dad.

He was another kind of hero too. He saved a boy from drowning. It was in the Northeast of England and he saw him fall off the pier and panic. My dad told me it was hard to get a hold of him because he was struggling and the sea was rough but he dove in and pulled him back ashore.

From Johanna Smith

My husband, Bill, who could have given up on a future when his kidneys died when he was 27. Instead, he rebuilt his health, and, on dialysis, went for his Ph.D. Now, 20+ years and a transplant later, he’s strong, determined and heals people every day. He’s also an amazing and generous husband and father.

From Anon: My Single Parent

From the Jafagirls

for

Corynna

whose courage continues to astound us