Page 3 - January 17, 2018

FEATURE

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Without her...

Continued from page 1 projected to cost upwards of $12 “They said they had a Cultural me off my socks. I didn’t want this
helping to keep her legacy alive.” million and it will be located on Arts Foundation Board meeting kind of recognition.”
Matthews has been working
To learn more about Matthew’s
toward the upcoming spring county property adjacent to the without her,” she said. “My first dream and the board’s mission and
existing library in the Chester
response was ‘Oh good you finally
groundbreaking since her dream Village Green development. The decided to let me go...you don’t need plans visit the art center website at
became official as part of the County will pay a portion of the me anymore.’” But when they told artschesterfieldva.org and follow the
Chester plan (part of Chesterfield building cost from funds procured her the board had voted to name the art center’s Facebook page to keep up
County Comprehensive Plan) in from the 2004 bond referendum lobby after her she said, “It knocked to date with the art center’s progress.
2004. and private donations will provide
The plan states; “Chester is a
healthy, walkable community with several million more to cover the The #MeToo Movement
remaining construction costs and to
a charming, identifiable core where help establish an operations fund.
residents and visitors are drawn to But in a huge project like the arts
the amenities found there, including center, more funding is always Points of View; Community “We post some questions on a board to get
a magnificent, well-used library and needed, and the foundation is always Conversations is an event that takes the conversation going,” he said.
community arts center. The historic looking for more donations. The place each month at the Meadowdale The #MeToo movement has spread
villages of Chester and Centralia are Library. The program involves exploring like wildfire across the country as attested
preserved and enhanced and attract center will be owned and maintained ideas while hearing others’ opinions to by Oprah Winfrey during her speech at
the Golden Globes.
and appreciating the diversity of the
by Chesterfield County and leased
residents and visitors.” to the foundation under a long-term community. A series of anonymous- You’ve probably seen the quote
In work sessions that create community conversations is underway to by Jackson Katz making its rounds on
public documents such as the agreement. explore current issues. Facebook and Twitter:
“I’m pleased that after all her
Chester Plan, residents gather and work over all these years, that arts According to library director James “We talk about how many women
give input as to what they think is center will be built and Betty will Hudson, the were raped last year, not how many men Chester Muff er & Brake Shop
important to their community. At be honored in a way she would January topic raped women. We talk about how many
those sessions, Matthews made sure more than appreciate,” said local is the #MeToo girls in a school district were harassed last
to get the art center on list of wants real estate agent Jim Daniels. “The movement, year, not about how many boys harassed
for the area plan. wheels of government turn slow.” a hot topic girls. We talk about how many teenage
She also made sure the arts involving recent girls in the state of Vermont got pregnant
Matthews learned of the honor
center was among the mission and when she was invited to lunch allegations of last year, rather than how many boys and
harassing of
men impregnated teenage girls…Even
goals of the Chester Community by Cline, and meeting up with women. the term ‘violence against women’ is
Association when it was formed in foundation members Sam West and Hudson problematic…It’s a bad thing that happens
2000. Matthews formed a committee George Emerson at the Halfway said he got the to women, but when you look at that term,
in that group, which soon after House. idea for the ‘violence against women,’ nobody is doing
became the JAMES HUDSON discussion from it to them. It just happens to them…Men
Chester Center TED Talks aren’t even said to be a part of it.”
for the Arts non- and Valentine lectures. “There are many The Points of View: #MeToo
profit. perspectives on a topic like this, and the Movement event will take place
Now, after a library is a safe place where they [people] January 23, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the
20-year bumpy can express themselves,” Hudson said. Meadowdale Library Meeting Room.
ride of going
in and out,
Matthews has Your Community, Your Neighbors, Your News
held the Baxter
Perkinson
Center for the Village News
Arts together.
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