Exhibit honors human-rights pioneer

Helen Suzman: Fighter for Human Rights reception/lecture, Wed. Sept. 15, 5:30 p.m., exhibit open through Oct. 25, Weinberg Memorial Library, University of Scranton (800 Linden St., Scranton). Free, open to the public. Info: 570.941.6341

When Helen Suzman passed away on Jan. 1, 2009, the iconic 91-year-old activist left behind a legacy of idealism and perseverance that continues to be celebrated today, more than a year later.

As one of the very first members of the South African Parliament to vocally and vehemently oppose apartheid, Suzman blazed a trail that would one day be walked by countless human rights crusaders seeking an end to the country’s government-enforced segregation.

“It was a very courageous thing to do,” said Sondra Myers, “because you’re going against the flow of your society. But she just saw that as her mission.” Myers then added, “She was a real pioneer. She did that and became an international figure.”

Myers serves as director of the Schemel Forum, an annual series of events hosted at the University of Scranton campus, put together for the purpose of “cultural enrichment and education in the community.” This year, one of those events is a reception for an exhibit entitled “Helen Suzman: Fighter for Human Rights.”

That reception will be held Wednesday, Sept. 15 in the Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be accompanied by a lecture from George Washington University assistant professor of sociology Fran Buntman, who has studied and written extensively about both the South African apartheid and the life and times of Suzman. The exhibit opened Aug. 31 and will stay up through Oct. 25.

“Helen Suzman was a remarkable woman,” said Buntman, discussing her admiration of the famed anti-apartheid advocate via phone from her home in Washington, D.C. “She was never a person to shy away from taking a stand on things she felt strongly about.” Buntman also credits Suzman as being ahead of the curve in her criticism of the same kind of arguably ineffectual drug policy that is nearing reform today.

Consisting of newspaper clippings, personal letters and iconic photographs taken from Suzman’s life, the exhibit constructs an exhaustive timeline of its subject’s tireless pursuit for racial equality. The exhibit includes special sections dedicated to such topics as Suzman’s friendship with Nelson Mandela and the resistance, prejudice and intimidation that Suzman faced throughout her career.

“She was a voice of conscience at a time when conscience was a very dangerous thing to have,” explained Buntman, noting that, despite fierce opposition, Suzman was always ready to stand up “for the disadvantaged and oppressed.”

Other items addressed in the exhibit include Suzman’s two Nobel Peace Price nominations and her warmly remembered reputation of outreach and community-building.

“I did have the privilege of meeting her,” reminisced Myers, detailing a visit to South Africa that she and her husband took in 1979. Describing Suzman as a sort of “hostess with the most-est,” Myers remembers how Suzman, upon learning of the couple’s interest in the anti-apartheid movement, invited them out for cocktails, where she was all too happy to introduce the duo to several prominent likeminded individuals seeking an end to the racial inequality.

Myers said she believes it is that same combination of Suzman’s warm personality and steadfast devotion to the cause of human rights which will appeal to those who attend the exhibit. Myers further went on to say that the exhibit, which she cites as an inspirational tribute to the ongoing struggle for peace and freedom, could perhaps even encourage some folks to follow in Suzman’s politically proactive footsteps.

“University’s a place where you try to open people’s eyes and minds and hearts,” said Myers, before adding that she thinks Suzman’s life “encourages and inspires others to do that.”

Ultimately though, she remarked, she’s happy just to increase awareness of the kind of important social issues that the Suzman exhibit highlights. Issues that, even 16 years after the end of South Africa’s apartheid, are still relevant to the human condition as a whole.

“I think that we have to understand more about the world,” explained Myers. “Americans, kids here, kids everywhere, they don’t know some of the difficulties that people in the world have had. … Fortunately, you find people that have the courage to step out and be counted for what they do, even at the risk of their own lives.”

People... like Helen Suzman.

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