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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:.5in'>Ohio, Members and Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As we honor Dr. Luthur King today, we are reminded of his profound belief of service and justice for all. He said that “everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It is important to reflect on how service can be a powerful agent of change. Thus, organizing and Engaging in community projects not only honors his legacy, but fosters unity and understanding in our community.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Therefore, I urge us all to rededicate ourselves to service in 2025. Service is essential because it fosters a sense of belonging and community. It also helps build trust and respect, promotes empathy, personal growth, and one’s satisfaction. So, as we gather to celebrate the incredible life and service of Dr. King, who was, and still is a beacon of hope, let’s strive for improving, upholding higher standards and exceeding expectations of the blind in and outside of the Ohio affiliate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation Of The Blind has become an effective force of the United States of America. It is imparted to our dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, which is essential to our core values. This is why the NFB must Offer support, training and humanity to everyone in this organization and beyond. Service is not just using your hands, it requires you to love, honor, and respect others. Love is key, because it is not an emotion; it is an action! Therefore, let’s “do something”, as Michelle Obama says. Let’s feed those who are less fortunate, Let’s listen to others who are broken, let’s give others opportunity and let’s care for one another!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Moreover, justice, freedom and equality are just as essential in the work that we do in this organization. We can not only show this on the outside in the community, but we also have to believe it and act upon it within the walls of this Federation. Everyone should feel belonged, have a safe space, and the ability to move forward to their fullest potential. I implore you to come out of the corners and do something, stand tall and do something, use your talents and do something!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Let’s shape the Ohio affiliate to be one of the best in the country, providing programs and services for all. This work cannot be done with only a few, we need everyone to commit, dedicate and serve! The diversity, equity and inclusion committee of the Ohio affiliate will do its best to urge fairness, promote understanding and provide educational content on how to share the knowledge, the work and the mission.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are all in this together!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On behalf of the Ohio Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and “Belonging” Committee we ask all to celebrate service on this day!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Suzanne M. Hartfield Turner</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ohio Legislative Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cleveland Chapter, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:24.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>P: (216) 990-6199<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>W: NFBOhio.ORG<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>