Training taught Heroes to be better listeners


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Training taught Heroes to be better listeners By SHERRY HALBROOK © 2004 Bill Burke/Page One Photography Natalie Williams is a registered nurse who worked for the state Office of Mental Health in New York City before she retired 10 years ago. Since then, she has been active in many organizations and efforts. “I’ve been active in the anti-war movement, the Fair Trade movement and the anti-globalization efforts,” she said. “I even went to Prague, Czechoslovakia, to protest. “For years, I’ve been involved in a campaign to fight corrupt politics in East Harlem, where I’ve lived for 40 years,” Williams said. “Although my neighborhood is vibrant with people of many races and ethnicities,” Williams said, “meeting more people is one of the things I’m looking forward to most about this campaign.” The Camp Wellstone experience was a good preparation for that, she said. “The training was excellent. It was very intense, but pleasurable. I met lots of people, and they taught us to really listen to each other. They sharpened my listening skills.” Williams said her friends and family took her decision to join the campaign and live in New Hampshire in stride, although it took a while for them to realize she would be gone for months, rather than weeks. “Everybody is pleased. They think it’s great. Many of them would like to do it too, if they didn’t have so many family obligations.” — Sherry Halbrook