Page 22 - Ninnau Jan-Feb 2021

Myra Thomas Lawrence in 1993 on

(Re-)Opening the Door to Wales

Myra Thomas Lawrence was was this that brought me back to who were of Welsh descent is
honored with the Heritage Wales. only one indication of this suc-
Medallion of the North America I admit that in those earlier cess. I need only mention a few
Wales Foundation (then known days, I, along with others, was others: the Exchange
as the National Welsh-American not too sure of the future of the Scholarship Program, the provi-
Foundation, as can be seen in foundation. The idea was good, sion of financial assistance to
the photo) at a celebration din- however, there were serious local organizations and individ-
ner after its Annual Meeting in questions as to how successful it uals through the grants program,
Charlottesville, Virginia, on 3 could be with its tenuous and two particularly dear to me
October 1993. President financing. There is no doubt – support of the national
Olwen-Joyce Anderson present- that the decision to convert to a eisteddfod and Welsh-language
ed Myra with a congratulatory membership organization, training both here in the United
plaque inscribed “Woman which led to the need for The States and in Wales.
Pioneer; Member, Gorsedd of Eagle and the Dragon, and a I especially want to congratu-
Bards.” In her acceptance change in the philosophy of the late you on the range of accom-
speech, Myra maintained that foundation led to its assured plishments of this relatively
her election to the NWAF board success. small foundation. I know that
reawakened her desire to work My greatest satisfaction has much of this is made possible
for closer ties between Welsh- come from being part of the because of the dedication of
Americans and Wales. Her foundation, watching it grow, your officers and directors who,
speech was transcribed by then- Myra Thomas Lawrence with NWAF President and feeling that I have been part unlike those in many nonprofit
NWAF secretary Col. Alfred Olwen-Joyce Anderson, 1993 of that growth. There is no foundations, are all volunteers
Reese and has been slightly question of the importance of its and provide much of your
edited for space. success in carrying out the mis- resources. They need also to be
choir practice, and the which I had always retained, sion here in the United States recognized with the hope that
NAWF reprints her speech eisteddfodau. My emotional caused me to attend my first and in Wales. The foundation is the foundation will expand as
here in honor of her recent attachment was fully developed national gymanfa ganu in New unique. It is the only Welsh- your great work becomes better
100th birthday and in celebra- and very important to me. It has York City in 1975. I haven’t American organization with known.
tion of the 40th anniversary of remained with me, in varying missed a national since then and close and continuous trans-
the North America Wales intensities, for all of my life. have been closely associated Atlantic ties to the country as [“There are some blanks to be
Foundation. When I moved to the United with the Welsh National well as with directors in Wales. filled and I have left the closing
Thank you, Joyce, for this States in 1947, I carried with me Gymanfa Ganu Association Your recent dedication of a
great honor that the National all of the memories of and emo- [WNAA]. memorial to Thomas Jefferson for you.” – Alfred J. Reese, Jr.,
Welsh-American Foundation tional ties with Wales. I fully However, I want you all to and the other signatories of the 8 October 1993]
[NAWF] has bestowed on me. I intended to continue my Welsh know that it was my election to Declaration of Independence
would like the officers, direc- activities and associations in the the board of directors of the
tors, and members of the United States and joined the National Welsh-American
Foundation to know how much Cambrian Society and the Foundation in 1984 and my
I appreciate your Heritage Welsh Presbyterian Church in work with the foundation which North America Wales Foundation
Medallion. Being here tonight Los Angeles. However, as with reawakened my interest in
gives me the opportunity to tell many, my business career and, Wales and Welsh-American 2020-2021
all of you what NWAF means unfortunately for me, lengthy activities. Little did I know that
to me. illnesses both worked to inter- when I was asked to join the
While growing up in Wales, I fere with my good intentions. board, that this one action Officers
was very active in those things Shortly after marrying Bob, a would open the door for me to
that are traditional in Wales: fellow Celt, these deep feelings work for closer ties between Philip Davies Scotch Plains, New Jersey
c[h]apel three times on Sunday, for Wales and my Welsh being, Welsh-Americans and Wales. It President
Emlyn I. Griffith, Esq., Jon Roper Swansea, Wales
Vice President Wales
NAWF Co-Founder and Heritage Stacy Evans Granville, Ohio
Immediate Past President
Medallion Winner, 1928–2015 Christine Penn Danielsville, Pennsylvania

Secretary
By James Thomas William, who became lawyers Warren Watkins Clarks Summit, Penn
in Rome. After Emlyn died at Treasurer
Emlyn I. Griffith, Esq., was 91 in Rome on 12 April 2015, Carole Kirby-Trojahn Somerville, New Jersey
on President Ronald Reagan’s Mary, his wife of 69 years said, Chairman of the Board
short list for secretary of educa- “He was always interested in David Matthews, WNNA Calgary, Alberta
tion in 1981. But that would public service more than
have meant leaving his home money.” A local paper, the Honorary Vice President
town. As his son, Judge James Utica Observer-Dispatch, noted
R. Griffith, said, “He saw him- that his hometown of “Rome Directors – North America
self as a lawyer in Oneida lost one of its best when Emlyn
County,” So in 1982, Reagan Griffith died.” Lorena Bennett Benton, Pennsylvania
appointed him to the Inter-gov- His interests and influence
ernmental Advisory Council on spread far beyond the Mohawk James Cassarino Asheville, North Carolina
Education, where he served four Valley. In 1987 he was a dele- Jeanne Jones Jindra Rio Grande, Ohio
years and never moved from gate to the US-China Joint Stephen Jones Boulder, Colorado
Rome, New York. Session on Trade and Law in AdaMae Lewis Ames, Iowa
Even though he was in private Beijing, in 1988 to the Soviet- Megan Sue Lloyd Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
law practice in the Copper City Emlyn I. Griffith, Esq American Seminar on
for half a century, his passion Comparative Education in Roderic L. Owen Staunton, Virginia
was education. He often quoted Educator.” That same year, he Moscow, and in 1990 to the Gerry Baker Parry Sherwood, Oregon
the Roman orator Cicero on it: also served as vice president of New York State-USSR Lawyers Hefina Phillips Oakville, Ontario
“What greater gift can we offer the Honourable Society of Conference in St. Petersburg. Donald Prytherch Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
the republic than to teach and Cymmrodorion in London. He received 11 honorary doc- John Jones Reinhart Bangor, Pennsylvania
instruct our youth.” Griffith Griffith was born on 13 May torates from institutions in New
helped set educational policy 1923, the son of Reverend York and the United Kingdom. Arturo Roberts Basking Ridge, New Jersey
for New York while serving on William A. Griffith, a He was an honorary life James Thomas New York, New York
the state Board of Regents from Presbyterian minister who had member of the American Torry Watkins Hightstown, New Jersey
1973 to 1996. At his retirement, emigrated from Wales to Legion, Veterans of Foreign David Williams Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
he was named Regent Emeritus. America in search of a college Wars, and the Air Force
He also served as President of education. Emlyn, a precocious Association, and a trustee of the
the National Association of student himself, graduated from Aerospace Education James W. Thomas New York, New York
State Boards of Education in Colgate University at 18 and Foundation. He was president of
1979-80. joined the U.S. Army Air the Oneida County Bar NAWF News Editor
This was the period when, Forces in 1942 as a private. Association, a vice president of
faithful to his Welsh heritage, With World War II over, he The New York Bar Foundation, Directors – Wales
he helped create the National retired four years later with the and a long-time editor of the
Welsh American Foundation rank of major. A law degree New York State Bar
(today’s North America Wales from Cornell University fol- Association’s Journal. Jenny Hubbard
Foundation) in 1980. He lowed in 1950. Ironically, he missed celebrat- Jenny Mathers, Treasurer
became president and then While in uniform at Maxwell ing NAWF’s 25th anniversary Joanna Masters
chairman in 1982 and1983. For Field in Alabama, he met his celebration in 2005 because he David Melding CBE
his vast public service, he was future wife, Mary L. received an Honorary Doctorate
honored with the NAWF Kirkpatrick of nearby Gadsden. that day from his alma mater Sheila O’Neal
Heritage Medallion in 1997 as a They were married in 1946 and Colgate. Abbie Wightwick
“Distinguished Attorney & had two sons, James and

Page 22 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper January-February 2021
®