In Their Honor
This past year saw the passing of two remarkable colleagues, Fred Rogers and Judith Arango Henderson. Early in our history, at a time when I so often felt all alone in this struggle, each offered CHILDESIGN an extremely meaningful gesture of support that kept its efforts (and my spirits) alive. Their kind words and readiness to respond so positively to our first public outreach events were made even more meaningful by our admiration of their work and like-minded crusades.
Their individual focuses define and symbolize the two arms of CHILDESIGN’s mission: child advocacy and design advocacy, respectively.
Most people would probably think of Fred Rogers and Judith Arango Henderson as polar opposites. Certainly, no manner of ‘spin’ could ever characterize Mr. Rogers’ sweater as ‘cutting-edge’ style. Nor would many outside the world of design readily recognize or describe Judith Arango Henderson’s modernist sensibilities as ‘nurturing.’ But, in both cases, people would be wrong to arrive at such conclusions, or even to apply narrow definitions to two individuals whose impact has been so complex and widespread. In my view, these two extraordinary individuals are remarkably, even if a bit surprisingly, similar. And not only in the fact that they embraced CHILDESIGN’s combined interests.
Fred Rogers’ work in the realm of media (not to mention his take on ‘ministry’) was utterly cutting-edge; he targeted the needs of children with razor-sharp precision. Meanwhile, Judith Arango Henderson never lost her sense of awe and wonder at the beauty and the ability of objects to shape and nurture our daily experiences.
Both dedicated their lives to the cause they championed. Both were “uncompromising” in their adherence, personally and professionally, to the principles they set and espoused. Both relentlessly carried their (almost singular) message to us, again and again, creatively using a variety of venues. Both were unfazed and unpersuaded by popular trends that came...and went. Both believed in the power (and basic goodness) of visual mediums to positively inform and influence our lives.
And both had (ostensibly) “small” bases – Mr. Rogers ‘the Neigborhood’ in Pittsburgh; Judith ‘a store’ in Miami – from which they managed to change the world for the better and touch both hearts and minds.
In their honor, we continue with our own crusade, ever grateful for their ready endorsement so long ago and ever mindful of the standards of excellence which they repeatedly defined & which we now strive anew to introduce and uphold.
OUR SIBLINGS
Also in their honor, we launch OUR SIBLINGS List, for now posting websites of the companies they founded, along with a few other special groups, with whom CHILDESIGN has philosophical linkages, which we would like to introduce to our constituents.
We are currently developing this list, so please contact us if you feel your organization belongs on our list: i.e., you have worked with us in the past and/or wish to collaborate closely with CHILDESIGN in the future (at oursiblings@CHILDESIGN.org):
