![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.katrinasdream.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/afc6794b-b8bf-4925-9703-85346977082e.jpg\")
<\/a>The Swanson circa 2003
St. Savior’s, Bar Harbor, ME<\/p><\/div>\n
On August 26, 2005, as Hurricane Katrina bore down on New Orleans, George, William, and I gathered to finalize Katrina\u2019s obituary, a collaborative effort with family and friends. In the early morning hours, as the storm passed, our small group birthed Katrina\u2019s Dream. Twenty years later, this vision has grown from a modest initiative into a global movement dedicated to peace, justice, and equality.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Katrina\u2019s Dream<\/strong><\/p>\n Sir Ketumile Quett Joni Masire and Family<\/p><\/div>\n Waka: Celebrating African Leadership<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m thrilled to share Zambia\u2019s UNIP President Mwamba\u2019s article, Celebrating One of Africa\u2019s Greatest Leaders: A Tribute to Sir Ketumile Quett Joni Masire<\/a>. Bishop Musonda Selwin Trevor Mwamba, affectionately known as \u201cBish,\u201d is a wise and inspiring figure. As a fellow board member and spiritual director, his counsel strengthens Katrina\u2019s Dream.<\/p>\n Advocating for Workers\u2019 Rights in the Information Technology Age<\/strong><\/p>\n My advocacy for better labor conditions at Amazon has intensified. Days before being placed on paid suspension, I informed SNY5 Unite, my small labor group, of my intent to file complaints with the FTC (see Federal Trade Commission Complaint<\/a>,) the New York State Attorney General\u2019s Office, and OSHA regarding unresolved workplace issues. Coincidentally, I was targeted by a supervisor who previously discarded my union materials. This temporary suspension has allowed me to recover from severe foot pain and step away from a hostile work environment, yet the advocacy for workers\u2019 rights continues<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pushing for the Equal Rights Amendment<\/strong><\/p>\n Tammy Simkins reports,<\/a> \u201c Katrina\u2019s Dream and ERA Action met with the offices of Senators Lisa Murkowski, Cynthia Lummis, and Joni Ernst to advance bipartisan support for the Equal Rights Amendment. In these productive conversations, we discussed next steps for Senator Murkowski\u2019s resolution to establish the ERA into the Constitution, celebrated news that Senator Susan Collins will sign on, and explored opportunities to re-engage past supporters. Across all three meetings, we underscored the ERA\u2019s Republican roots, broad nonpartisan appeal, and urgent need for action\u2014momentum is building, and we are committed to turning it into results.\u201d<\/p>\n Numerous meetings are being scheduled and upcoming talks with Senators Grassley and Marino, and a follow-up with Murkowski in October, signal growing momentum.<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to pick-up the phone and be heard.\u00a0 Use the Power of One Script<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 2014, inspired by my late spiritual director, Rev. Kathryn Piccard, I began using the \u201cBubble of Love\u201d concept to surround challenges with positive energy. My \u201cPower of 10\u201d network\u2014friends like Mad Max, Lady Jane, Crisopedia, Uncle Nasty, Sergeant Sweetheart, Bish, Dude, and Dr. K\u2014embodies this principle. Through prayer and connection, we support each other and the ministries of Katrina\u2019s Dream. I ask you to join us in praying for John Kratsios and Lady Jane\u2019s recovery, as Bishop Trevor has exemplified. Take a moment each day to reflect, wrapping your joys and struggles in a \u201cBubble of Love\u201d\u2014God\u2019s pure energy.<\/p>\n Moving Forward Together<\/strong><\/p>\n Progress is being made, but challenges remain. In this information age, I\u2019m troubled by negative rhetoric on social media. Katrina\u2019s Dream counters this with person-to-person connection, not a numbers game. Each of us can move our nation forward through small, meaningful actions. Follow our work on X<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, and our website<\/a>, and stay tuned for occasional eblast updates.<\/p>\n Together, we are building a future of peace, justice, and equality\u2014one connection at a time.<\/p>\n Love and Light in Christ,<\/p>\n Helene de Boissiere – Swanson<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" August 22, 2025 Dear Family and Friends, On August 26, 2005, as Hurricane Katrina bore down on New Orleans, George, William, and I gathered to finalize Katrina\u2019s obituary, a collaborative effort with family and friends. In the early morning hours, as the storm passed, our small group birthed Katrina\u2019s Dream. Twenty years later, this vision…<\/a>Reflecting on our journey, I recall meeting William\u2019s brother, Olof<\/a>\u00a0 through the efforts of the NYPD. Olof, a homeless advocate protesting near 73rd Street and Broadway in New York City, was reconnected with his family after an officer identified him through our website. One by one family and friends caught up with him. Visiting with him often our conversations would delve deep into global issues, homelessness, and women\u2019s rights in the U.S. were transformative. Olof once said, \u201cKatrina\u2019s Dream is now Helene\u2019s dream,\u201d acknowledging my leadership after William\u2019s passing. Over the years Katrina\u2019s Dream has blossomed walking alongside Lady Liberty and the Spirit of Law and so many more titans. Today, Katrina\u2019s Dream amplifies diverse voices united in pursuit of a shared goal: equality and justice for all. Katrina\u2019s Dream is everyone\u2019s dream.<\/p>\n<\/a>This year, we hosted\u00a0 AI, Automation, Amazon Labor Unions, and the Equal Rights Amendment,<\/a> our\u00a0 third United Nations\u2019 Commission on the Status of Women event. Our work is accelerating. The joke used to be \u2018Rome wasn\u2019t built in a day ya\u2019know, it takes at least two weeks.\u2019\u00a0 Nowadays, with the assistance of AI things move at warp speed, so by the time this gets to press, I can assure you much progress will have been made on all fronts.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>The Bubble of Love<\/strong><\/p>\n
Read more