Vincenzo always had a pocketful of dimes rattling in his jacket. He would walk down busy commercial streets in our Brooklyn neighborhood keeping watch for the meter maid. When a red metal flag popped up, they would both race towards the car. A cobbler by trade, he wasn’t a wealthy man. Vincenzo wasn’t trying to thumb his nose at law enforcement. My grandfather just wanted to prevent hard working strangers from the costly surprise of a parking ticket.
Anna and Christina, typical Italian women loved to nurture others. The two sisters were constantly visiting the elderly and shut-ins, often bringing meals or other treats. During the NYC Teachers’ strike in the late 60’s, they packed huge shopping bags of sandwiches, filled thermoses with lemonade, coffee or soup and fed the picketers. I walked my first line with them at the age of 11 and added “Collective Bargaining” to my growing vocabulary.
We lived in a multicultural neighborhood where world and national news were debated on most front steps. As youngsters, my sister Concetta and I routinely lit stoves and turned on light switches before Shabbat for Orthodox neighbors. We wrote letters and collected care packages for local boys who served in Vietnam. Too many times, we sang at their funerals. During the 60’s and 70’s, we individually participated in the Civil Rights, Gay Rights and Women’s Rights movements by sit-ins, strikes or raising awareness and money for their various causes.
Service to others was the legacy handed to me by my grandparents and parents. It was considered the highest calling. While I have had the privilege of community service through the military and memberships in numerous associations, it is the one-to-one work that makes my heart soar. Our lives are defined by layers of multi-tasking. We have become so overly scheduled that our agenda alerts bombard us through social media, smart phones and now, even our watches or fitbits. I appreciate the ability to stay plugged-in and maximize my efforts through organized social justice events, the Warwick City Council and the RI Commission for Human Rights but I am vigilant to ensure my community work is not solely dependent on transactions. Service should not be reduced to a bunch of red lines on a “To Do” list. It is a work of heart.
St Francis Assisi has been attributed with saying “Preach the Gospel. Sometimes use words.” This is a beautiful, challenging concept in a society that often resembles the worst episodes of a reality television show. The Prayer to St Francis has been my family’s blueprint for social justice, helping families and strengthening our communities. I remain engaged, look for even the simplest opportunity to “walk the talk” and empower others to do the same. But in between walking picket lines throughout Rhode Island, I store a bag of quarters in my car, and look out for the meter maids in Providence.
Camille Vella-Wilkinson has over 25 years experience in Human Resources, Multicultural Competencies and Project Management. She participated in the development of Navy’s Command Managed Equal Opportunity Program. A war veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm, she retired as a lieutenant commander. She was appointed and has continued to serve as a state commissioner for RI Commission for Human Rights. Vella-Wilkinson started her own business, Higher & Hire as a career coach and diversity trainer. Elected to Warwick City Council for three terms, community service has consistently been one of Vella-Wilkinson’s guiding principles. She is a graduate from Long Island University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Psychology. She is also a graduate of Warwick Citizens Police Academy. Vella-Wilkinson has completed two advanced degrees: a Master of Science Degree in Labor Relations/Human Resources from University of Rhode Island and a Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law.
photo by Agapao Productions
