Conversations Magazine Feature: Mary Jo Copeland

"Driven by her faith and a fierce commitment to her community, Mary Jo Copeland has spent more than a quarter-century lifting up the under-served. Her unyielding vision for stronger neighborhoods has inspired people nationwide, and her compassion for the poor and marginalized speaks to the depth of the human spirit. The United States honors Mary Jo Copeland for sparking hope in those who need it most." ~ President Barack Obama

by Cyrus Webb

I didn't learn about Mary Jo Copeland and the amazing work she was doing through the organization Sharing and Caring Hands until I read Michelle Peterson Hinck's book about her called GREAT LOVE: The Mary Jo Copeland Story. Through that book I was able to better understand why President Obama said the words that he did about her and why she received the Presidential Citizens Medal for her efforts.

Though she had lived a busy life as a wife and mother to her large family, there was more for her to do in the world and Mary Jo set about doing it. Whether it was volunteering to assist others or just being that listening ear when it was needed, she was able to show us all what it meant to be a citizen of this world and a true member of the human family.

Through Sharing and Caring Hands she would gain the attention needed to mobilize others to action, and it all began with her example. She set out to make the lives of individuals better, and she took that objective as seriously as any other. As she says in the book there was always something to do, and it was her mission to make sure that no one ever felt unwanted or unloved.

During my interview with Ms. Copeland on Conversations LIVE she shared with me how the attention she has received has been great, not because of herself but the work she has committed her life to. It is her hope that she can show through her example what one person can do if they only try.

Find out more about the work of Sharing and Caring Hands at www.sharingandcaringhands.org. Listen to our interview together at www.tinyurl.com/maryjocopelandinterview.