Singer Mary McBride Tours Asia as HDI Spokesperson

This month, singer-songwriter and HDI spokesperson Mary McBride will travel to Vietnam, Laos, Taiwan and Iraq to perform with the support of the American Institute in Taiwan and the U.S. Embassies in Vientiane and Hanoi. The tour itself is hosted by the Humpty Dumpty Institute and Project RENEW. Prior to this tour, McBride shared her unique blend of R&B, American Country, and old-school Rock ‘n Roll to audiences in Pakistan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

One of McBride’s concerts in Vietnam was held at the Quang Tri Mine Action Visitor Center in Dong Ha Town. The center serves as a place where local residents and students can come to learn how to avoid bombs and mines. It is also frequented by international tour groups visiting the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Connie Milstein is a co-founder of the Humpty Dumpty Institute, which is working alongside Project RENEW to reduce the impact of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) by providing income-earning opportunities to the families of landmine victims. HDI also works more broadly to promote public diplomacy and create dialogue between the United Nations and the United States Congress. The New York-based NGO’s other humanitarian efforts include feeding school children in Laos and teaching landmine awareness in Myanmar.

CURE CEO Tapped for Illinois Medical Distric Commission

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE),which Connie Milstein serves as a member of the Board of Directors, made headlines this week in Chicago. The organization’s CEO, Carmita Vaughan, was appointed to the Illinois Medical District Commission by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Vaughan has worked for CURE since she joined as Chief Operating Officer in 2010. Prior to working with CURE, Vaughan served as Chief Strategy Officer for America’s Promise Alliance, a youth development organization founded by Gen. Colin Powell. She has also worked for the Chicago Public Schools Office of High School and High School Program. She has also worked with Fortune 500 companies in the following roles: global marketing, strategic planning and engineering/operations management. She serves on the Board of Directors for Marwen, a Chicago-based arts education organization, the Academy of Urban School Leadership and America’s Promise Alliance.

In her newly appointed role, Vaughan will be one of seven charged with overseeing, coordinating and reviewing development projects within the Illinois Medical District. She was selected because of her experience with medical issues and healthcare, her commitment to community service and her managerial experience.

Humpty Dumpty Institute Hosts 39th Congressional Delegation to U.N.

The Humpty Dumpty Institute was established in 1988 by Connie Milstein and four other business entrepreneurs whose goal was to solve international problems through public-private partnerships. In January, the HDI held its 39^th Congressional Delegation to the United Nations. The day began with a breakfast hosted by The United States Mission to the United Nations, where Rosemary DiCarlo, U.S. Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, talked about the importance of the U.N. Security Council to U.S. policy, especially in times of conflict resolution and maintaining human rights abroad.

The delegates then heard Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Planning of the Executive Office of the Secretary General, Robert Orr, discuss the United Nations varied interests; the delegates were especially interested in hearing the U.N.’s sustainable energy initiative and promotion of green economic growth. Later, Dr. Mari Ortega, Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of Join United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, briefed participants on the current state of the AIDS epidemic and what the U.N. is doing in response to this crisis.

Following a private tour of the United National Capital Master Plan (a plan that details upcoming renovations to the U.N. campus), the participants met with Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. His remarks highlighted the importance of cooperation between the United States and United Nations and he discussed his plan of action for his second term as Secretary-General, during which he hopes to achieve fiscal and structural reform.

Finally, the group moved to the U.N. Millennium Hotel for a working lunch. Edmund Mulet, the Assistant Secretary-General Department of Peacekeeping Operations, spoke during the lunch hour about the importance of U.N. peacekeeping operations throughout the world and how member states can contribute to the program. Bill Rouhana, HDI Chairman, closed the day by sharing the history of the Humpty Dumpty Institute with the delegates and encouraged the members of Congress to become more involved with HDI’s international mine action activities and HDI’s Higher Education Alliance in the U.S.

Humpty Dumpty Institute Launches Wishing Well Sri Lanka

The Humpty Dumpty Institute, which Connie Milstein serves as Co-Founder and Chairman, recently launched a new online campaign titled “Wishing Well Sri Lanka.” The campaign was initiated to promote and raise funds for a series of initiatives that will provide fresh water and improve sanitary conditions to over 10,000 residents in northern Sri Lanka, including the districts of Mannar, Killinochchi and Mullaithivu. Funds raised during the campaign will also go to support the HDI’s well-known, long-term school feeding program in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna district.

With the “Wishing Well Sri Lanka” and the donations received through the campaign, the HDI will start off small by building and repairing 230 communal and domestic wells and 100 new toilets. The organization hopes to increase these numbers and expand to new areas as they reach their fundraising goals. Since the conclusion of the 30-year conflict in 2009, an incalculable number of Sri Lankans have returned to their homes in northern Sri Lanka. While the government is working to accommodate the influx of returning residents, the people continue to face challenges. The 30-year conflict left the area devastated and now everything must be rebuilt. There is very little fresh water for drinking, bathing or farming; there are few latrines.

“Please join hands with HDI and help kick start our new initiative by visiting www.wishingwellsrilanka.org and making a generous contribution,” wrote HDI President Ralph Cwerman.

Ford's Theatre Partners with Miriam's Kitchen for Holiday Fundraising

As the holiday season approaches, many D.C. organizations and philanthropists, like Connie Milstein, work to assist those who may need help during the upcoming winter months. The Ford’s Theatre Society, which Ms. Milstein serves as a trustee, is helping D.C. residents in need in a rather unique way this season. From November 18 to December 31, the theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol will raise money for Miriam’s Kitchen by accepting donations during the curtain call of each show. This partnership was inspired by the themes of charity found in Dickens’ holiday classic.

“Each winter, the story of A Christmas Carol renews in us, as it does in Scrooge, a compassionate and generous heart,” said Director of Ford’s Theatre Society Paul Tetreault in a press statement. “In selecting Miram’s Kitchen as recipients of this year’s donation drive, the cast of A Christmas Carol and our audiences can help make a difference in the lives of thousands in the D.C.-area struggling with hunger and homelessness.”

Miriam’s Kitchen has served as a resource for the 12,000 homeless individuals in D.C. for the past thirty years. The nonprofit offers warm, healthy means and case management services to those who may not otherwise seek help. In 2011, Miriam’s Kitchen served more than 4,000 homeless individuals through its comprehensive mental health, medical care, legal assistance, substance abuse counseling, employment resources and housing options.

This is the third year that the Ford’s Theatre society has partnered with a local nonprofit during its production of A Christmas Carol. In 2010, the theatre partnered with So Others Might Eat (SOME) and raised over $77,000. In 2009, the theatre partnered with Bread for the City and raised enough money to provide D.C. families in need with nearly 2,000 meals.

NCCU School of Law Named One of Country's 167 Best

Recently, the Princeton Review listed North Carolina Central University School of Law as one of the nation’s most excellent law schools. Constance Milstein earned her J.D. cum laude from the school after she completed her undergraduate studies at New York University.

NCCU School of Law was featured in the Princeton Review’s 2012 edition of The Best 167 Law Schools. The school is praised for its diversity within the legal curriculum and includes quotes from students who comment the school for its value, emphasis on practical training and the encouragement and guidance of educators and staff.

“Our law school appreciates the continuous national recognition we are receiving with regard to the quality of our program of legal education,” said Raymond Pierce, the Dean of NCCU School of Law, in a statement.

For each school selected by the Princeton Review, the book includes a summary on the school’s academics, student life, admissions and career placement. The law schools are selected based on the opinions of those at the Princeton Review and the integrity of the data collected from the school as compared with other law schools across the country. Student opinions way heavily in the selection as well; the Princeton Review surveyed approximately 18,000 students for this edition of the book.