Townsend, Ellis, Clift to Headline Workshop 2007

Townsend, Ellis, Clift to Headline Workshop 2007

The theme of Workshop 2007 is Dream, Inspire, Achieve, and the keynote speakers at each of its three general sessions know the meaning of those words.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Wednesday, Oct. 24

The former lieutenant governor of Maryland and child advocate will present “Inspiring Students to Achieve Their Dreams.”

Townsend believes that political and civic engagement can unleash in all people enormous power that enables them to make contributions to the world.

“It is the responsibility of every person to fight for justice, combining a dedication to helping each other with active community involvement,” she says.

Robert and Ethel Kennedy’s eldest child, Townsend led Maryland to become the first state in the nation that required high school students to perform community service. Throughout her career, she has devoted substantial effort to ensuring quality education and healthcare for children.

Jim Ellis
Thursday, Oct. 25

He pulled together a group of troubled inner-city kids, made them into a dedicated team, and taught them how to overcome adversity through hard work and determination. Ellis will discuss “Inspiring Pride: One Lap at a Time.”

Over the past 36 years, Ellis has introduced competitive swimming to inner city youth and their families.

The swim coach is the subject of the recently released film Pride. In 1971, he founded the Philadelphia Department of Recreation Swim Team, a model for urban swim programs across the U.S.

Eleanor Clift
Friday, Oct. 26

A contributing editor for Newsweek magazine, and political analyst for the Fox News Network, Clift will present “An Insider’s View of Washington.”

Clift is an author, regular panelist on “The McLaughlin Group,” and even an occasional actress. She reports on the White House, presidential politics, and a variety of national issues.

Her column, “Capitol Letter,” is posted weekly at Newsweek.com and MSNBC.com. She has played herself in several films, including “Independence Day,” “Murder at 1600 Pennsylvania” and “Dave.”