Providing Life-Saving Services, Empowering Survivors, Educating Our Community, Demanding Change
On Sunday, April 21st, we celebrated and honor four incredible individuals from the Hudson Valley for their commitment to our work. We humbly acknowledge the impact of our donors and sponsors in advancing the mission of FEARLESS! and thank them for supporting the work we do every day.
Michelle Horton is the author of Dear Sister: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds, which was featured in The New York Times and named an Amazon Editor's Pick. She is also the co-founder of The Nicole Addimando Community Defense Committee, an advocacy group that brings awareness and action toward the decriminalization of domestic violence survivors.
Garrard R. Beeney is co-head of the Intellectual Property and Technology Group at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. He has litigated cases in multiple venues, including two arguments in the United Sates Supreme Court. Mr. Beeney has been recognized as a leading lawyer by, among others, The American Lawyer, The Best Lawyers in America, Forbes, Law360, The Legal 500 United States, Managing IP, Benchmark Litigation, The National Law Journal and New York Super Lawyers. Publication comments include “he is a master strategist when it comes to the procedural aspects of patent litigation,” he is a “contentious mastermind,” and “one of the best trial lawyers in the world.” Mr. Beeney has been active in public service activities throughout his career. He served for more than a decade as the deputy mayor of Irvington, New York, as chairman of the board of Mercado Global, a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of impoverished artisans in Central America, and currently is a member of the boards of Sanctuary for Families and Graham Windham. He also regularly represents clients in pro bono litigation, including a victory for a survivor of domestic violence in the first New York appellate court to construe the Domestic Violence Survivor Justice Act. In that case, Mr. Beeney’s client faced a life sentence for killing her abuser in defense, but the sentence was reduced in the appeal and Mr. Beeney’s client is now home with her two young children. My Beeney also secured a recent First Amendment verdict after trial in favor of a student advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, argued cases around the country which resulted in striking down state laws preventing child adoptions by LGBTQ+ persons, and secured the restoration of voting rights for 60,000 African Americans after a trial in a case against South Carolina under the Voting Rights Act. He currently is working on reproductive rights issues, sung the state of Arkansas regarding its ban on transgender care, and addressing legislative initiatives to eliminate statutory parental rights of those convicted of rape, and working to create civil causes of action to sue those engaging in cyber-stalking and abuse.
Lucy C Gillmeier, known to some by her work name, Nancy, has been a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley and the proud owner of World Wide Travel of Cornwall for 35 years. Her passion for travel and helping others was kindled in childhood during family trips, including two transformative summers spent in Ghana, Africa. The stark realities of poverty and malnutrition she witnessed there continue to influence her actions to this day. Now, when traveling with her family to less fortunate countries, they make it a point to contribute, donating essential items to orphanages. In the past decade, Lucy has channeled her experiences into making a difference locally in the Hudson Valley, addressing pressing issues like child homelessness and poverty. She has been instrumental in fundraising efforts for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Hospice, and Fearless! Hudson Valley, dedicating countless hours to support their vital work. Lucy’s commitment to community service has earned her individual recognition, for which she is deeply humbled. She holds a profound gratitude for the teamwork and the many volunteers who have joined her in striving to make a lasting positive impact in the community.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. For 119 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. Worldwide over 46,000 clubs work together to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, grow local economies and protect the environment.
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The West Point-Highland Falls Rotary Club, coined the "THE BICENTENNIAL CLUB" was chartered on July 4, 1976. Meetings are held 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Hotel Thayer, West Point with our last meeting of the month as a 5 p.m. meeting. The Rotary Club of West Point-Highland Falls provides support to the local community in numerous ways and partners with Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc., the HFFM Central School District, The Center in the Village of Highland Falls, Friends of the Highland Falls Library, U.S. Military Academy Associate of Graduates and the Town of Highlands & Village of Highland Falls. The Club and it’s members volunteer and donate to numerous events throughout the year and in additional provided much needed support when it’s local community was flooded this past July. |
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The Greater Newburgh Rotary Club, chartered in 1917 is one of the oldest continuous Rotary Clubs in the world serving the needs of the Newburgh community that includes the City and Town of Newburgh, as well as the Towns of New Windsor and Cornwall. The Greater Newburgh Rotary is part of the eight-county region of Rotary Clubs of the Hudson Valley that make up District 7210. The Greater Newburgh Rotary Club meets weekly at the Powelton Club every Tuesday at 12:15 PM from April through December. Between January and March, we meet at various locations within our service area. |
