‘Embracing Your Oneness:’ CWU Planning Human Rights Celebration

Church Women United of Newtown and Greater Danbury invites the public to join in for a Human Rights Day Celebration on Sunday, March 11, from 1:30 until 3 pm, in the community room of Cyrenius H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street. “Embracing Our Oneness” is the theme that highlights the sights  and sounds of harmony that will continue to be used in the May Friendship Day and World Community Day celebrations later in year.

Dorothea LaBelle, a Newtown resident who has devoted her life and labors to the mentally challenged, will be the guest speaker for the celebration.

Mrs LaBelle graduated from University of Connecticut with a degree in chemistry and bacteriology and served one year as a WAVE during World War II, working in Bethesda, Md., collecting blood and teaching anatomy classes to other WAVES. After the war she returned to school at Yale for a master’s degree in public health followed by a master’s degree in social work from UConn.

She spent many years working at Southbury Training School and later helped open and became director of social services at Northwestern Regional Center in Torrington.

After she retired, having established herself as a caring individual, Mrs LaBelle volunteered to be a guardian for anyone who needed one. She was assigned to Jula and Debbie. Ten years later Jula’s father died and left her $200,000; he named Dorothea as trustee. Jula, now 70, continues to count on Ms LaBelle as her trustee and guardian. A 70th Birthday Bash is scheduled in March for Jula, who is unable to walk or talk.

Dorothea LaBelle is a spirited and busy 90-year-old who is full of stories that she will share.  She drives to her second home in Rhode Island nearly every weekend, plays bridge three times a week, and has a schedule that would tire a 30-year-old. She is a widow, who has lived in Newtown for many years with her Siamese cat, Simmy Son the Fifth. Mrs LaBelle is a member of Newtown Woman’s Club and attends Trinity Church when she is in town. 

No reservations are needed for the event. Snacks and beverages will be available at the event and National CWU Human Rights awards will be presented.

For more information, contact Darlene Jackson at 203-426-5192 or Linda Manganaro at 203-426-3496.