Readers of U.S. 1’s September 7 issue may recall Aubrey Kauffman’s profile of photographer Steve McCurry, whose work was on display at the Michener Museum in Doylestown. A Philadelphia area native whose career led him around the world, McCurry gained fame for his photo of the “Afghan Girl” that appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985. Then, 18 years later, McCurry went back to Afghanistan, tracked down the woman, Sharbat Gula, and created a follow-up portrait of her.
Last week the woman was in the news again, this time after being arrested by Pakistani officials on charges of fraudulently obtaining national identity cards.
“I am committed to doing everything possible to provide legal and financial support for her and her family,” McCurry was quoted as saying. “She has suffered throughout her entire life, and we believe that her arrest is an egregious violation of her human rights.”
#b#To the Editor#/b#
As interim chair of Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP), I would like to call attention to National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 12-20) by noting the generosity of Princeton-area realtors and real estate professionals. HIP, a tax-exempt, all-volunteer organization that assists low-income working families in avoiding homelessness, has asked realtors to contribute some portion of their earnings in the month of November to HIP, and by doing so, help families in the Princeton area who are less fortunate than many of the clients served by Princeton’s realtors. HIP provides hope in the face of an immediate crisis as well as for their future. Wrapping supportive services like financial counseling, educational encouragement, and counseling into a partnership lasting 12 to 24 months, HIP offers a hand up rather than a hand out.
Three realtors, responding to HIP’s request, now are leading the campaign to get participation of the area’s real estate professionals. They are Ira Lackey, Callaway Henderson, 609-203-2099; Anne Nosnitsky, Gloria Nilson, 609-468-0501; and Beatrice Bloom, Weichert Realtors, 609-577-2989.
Every year the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness designate the week prior to Thanksgiving to sponsor the National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. I am inspired by the willingness of the realtors to make this important contribution to the welfare of others struggling to keep a roof over the heads of their families.
Carol Golden
Housing Initiatives of Princeton
