9/24/02

A dramatization of the real stories of lawyers, judges, and citizens who have experienced the challenges of bias and discrimination and overcome the odds, will be presented Thursday September 26, 2002, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in conjunction with the State Bar of Michigan Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids. Entitled "Profiles in Open Justice Courage," this program will be presented from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Atrium Room. A reception will follow from 5 to 6 p.m.

Diversity Theatre, a Grand Rapids-based organization that presents diversity issues in the form of drama, will re-enact the stories of nine individuals who have been a part of Michigan's legal system and who have experienced the personal impact of factors such as race, gender and disability on themselves or on the people they serve.

The program's first hour from 2 to 3 p.m. will feature the experiences of attorney-advocates Deborah Labelle, Noel Saleh, and Brian Sheridan. The second hour from 3 to 4 p.m. will highlight the experiences of citizens Wayne Bentley, Guy Shields and Darlene King. The final hour from 4 to 5 p.m. will feature the profiles of Judges Benjamin Logan, Janet Neff and Deborah Thomas. Following the performance in each hour, there will be a question and answer period with the featured individuals.

"Profiles in Open Justice Courage," is sponsored by the State Bar of Michigan Open Justice Commission and Whirlpool Corporation.

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